Science and Medicine

COVID-19 pandemic and animals

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected animals directly and indirectly. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is zoonotic, which likely to have originated from animals such as bats and pangolins. Human impact on wildlife and animal habitats may be causing such spillover events to become much more likely. The largest incident to date was the 2020 Danish mink cull, the slaughter of all 17 million mink in Denmark after it was discovered that they were infected with a mutant strain of the virus. While research is inconclusive, pet owners reported that their animals contributed to better mental health and lower loneliness during COVID-19 lockdowns. However, contact with humans infected with the virus could have adverse effects on pet animals.

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See also

• ▸COVID-19 pandemic on Diamond Princess
• ▸HMS Royal George (1827)
• ▸Gerda Alexander

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