Companion Animals as a Source of Viruses for Human Beings and Food Production Animals

Publication date: Available online 10 August 2016 Source:Journal of Comparative Pathology Author(s): L.A. Reperant, I.H. Brown, O.L. Haenen, M.D. de Jong, A.D.M.E. Osterhaus, A. Papa, E. Rimstad, J.-F. Valarcher, T. Kuiken Companion animals comprise a wide variety of species, including dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, guinea pigs, reptiles, birds and ornamental fish, as well as food production animal species, such as domestic pigs, kept as companion animals. Despite their prominent place in human society, little is known about the role of companion animals as sources of viruses for people and food production animals. Therefore, we reviewed the literature for accounts of infections of companion animals by zoonotic viruses and viruses of food production animals, and prioritized these viruses in terms of human health and economic importance. In total, 138 virus species reportedly capable of infecting companion animals were of concern for human and food production animal health: 59 of these viruses were infectious for human beings, 135 were infectious for food production mammals and birds, and 22 were infectious for food production fishes. Viruses of highest concern for human health included hantaviruses, Tahyna virus, rabies virus, West Nile virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, Aichi virus, European bat lyssavirus, hepatitis E virus, cowpox virus, G5 rotavirus, influenza A virus and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Viruses of ...
Source: Journal of Comparative Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research