SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): Fomites,

Pets, & Transmission

Radford G. Davis, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, Iowa State University
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Published April 8, 2020, at 9:00 PM CST

Coronaviruses: A Primer
Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses that typically cause respiratory and enteric disease in
humans and animals,1 notably camels, bats, masked palm civets, mice, swine, cattle, horses,
chickens, turkeys, dogs, and cats.2-4 Five coronaviruses are known to circulate in humans: four
that cause the common cold, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV),
which appeared in Saudi Arabia in 2012.1 A sixth coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1), emerged in 2002 from China and has not been seen since 2003. A
seventh severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus
disease (COVID-19), emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 with some exposures linked to the
Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market; it is currently circulating at pandemic levels.5 Evidence
suggests that bats serve as the ultimate reservoir for at least two of the human common-cold
associated coronaviruses as well as for MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2, which infect
humans through intermediate animal hosts.1,6-8

Transmission
SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted person-to-person via droplets generated from talking, coughing, and
sneezing that fall o after approximately six feet and can also be transmitted via fomites (ie,
contaminated surfaces and objects).9,10 ere is some evidence that aerosol transmission may
be possible.11-13

SARS-CoV-2 can survive on some surfaces to a limited extent.11,13 One experimental study
examined the survival of SARS-CoV-2 on plastic, stainless steel, copper, and cardboard.11 No
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viable virus was detected on copper after 4 hours or on cardboard after 24 hours, but virus was
viable up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel. SARS-CoV-2 genetic material was also
detected on environmental surfaces in Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in China.6,9,14 Studies
of other human coronaviruses have demonstrated survival of up to 9 days on certain surface
types, with length of persistence correlated to inoculum dose and ambient temperatures.15

Transmission from Pets

ere is no evidence that domestic animals, or any animal within the United States, can serve as
a source for human infection with SARS-CoV-2.16-19 Although dogs and cats have tested positive
for SARS-CoV-2 on PCR and/or serology, there is no evidence that dogs develop clinical signs
and limited evidence that cats do.20-25 ere are concerns that companion animals could serve
as fomites for transmission of SARS-CoV-2, particularly if the pet belongs to someone ill with
COVID-19.

Although pet skin and fur are recognized sources for human infection for some parasites and
microorganisms, there is no evidence that pets can serve as fomites for SARS-CoV-2.16,26-29 ere
is also no evidence that inanimate objects associated with pets such as collars, leashes, food or
water dishes, can be fomites for SARS-CoV-2. Information and risk messaging regarding pet-to-
human transmission may change as more information is collected.

Prevention Measures
To reduce the chances that a pet could become a fomite, the following is recommended17-
19,30:

If a pet owner is ill with COVID-19, she/he should maintain separation from a pet, just as
would be done for another member of the household. If possible, someone else may take
care of the pet.

If a pet owner must care for a pet while ill, a face mask should be worn around the pet;
hands should be washed before and a er contact with the pet; hugging, kissing, and
sleeping with the pet should be avoided (as well as being licked); and food, eating utensils,
cups, bedding, or other items should not be shared. The pet should be kept indoors as much
as possible.

For pet owners without symptoms, good hygiene should be practiced around the pet with
hand washing before and a er contact and feeding. Food and water dishes, toys, and
bedding should also be washed regularly.

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 If a pet that that has been in contact with someone with COVID-19 becomes ill, pet owners
should contact the state public health veterinarian or other public health o icial. They will
be advised to bring the pet into a veterinary clinic, which should be contacted in advance of
any physical contact with the pet owner and pet.

All coronaviruses are enveloped and therefore readily killed by many biocidal agents, as
well as washing with soap and water. Bathing the pet of someone who is ill may help reduce
any chance the pet could be a fomite, but there is no scientific evidence at this time that
supports this measure.

REFERENCES
1. Banerjee A, Kulcsar K, Misra V, Frieman M, Mossman K. Bats and Coronaviruses.
Viruses. 2019;11(1).

2. Lu R, Zhao X, Li J, et al. Genomic characterisation and epidemiology of 2019 novel

coronavirus: implications for virus origins and receptor binding. Lancet (London,
England). 2020;395(10224):565-574.

3. American Veterinary Medical Association. Coronaviruses in domestic species.

Updated February 18, 2020. https://www.avma.org/sites/default/ les/2020-
02/AVMA-Coronavirus-Taxonomy-Notes.pdf. Accessed March 31, 2020.

4. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, et al. A Novel Coronavirus from Patients with Pneumonia
in China, 2019. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(8):727-733.

5. Li Q, Guan X, Wu P, et al. Early Transmission Dynamics in Wuhan, China, of Novel

Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia. N Engl J Med. 2020.

6. Zhang YZ, Holmes EC. A Genomic Perspective on the Origin and Emergence of
SARS-CoV-2. Cell. 2020.

7. Zhou P, Yang XL, Wang XG, et al. A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new
coronavirus of probable bat origin. Nature. 2020;579(7798):270-273.

8. Cui J, Li F, Shi ZL. Origin and evolution of pathogenic coronaviruses. Nat Rev
Microbiol. 2019;17(3):181-192.

9. World Health Organization. Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus

Disease 2019 (COVID-19). 16-24 February 2020. 2020.

10. World Health Organization. How does COVID-19 spread?

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses. Accessed March 31,
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11. van Doremalen N, Bushmaker T, Morris DH, et al. Aerosol and Surface Stability of
SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1. N Engl J Med. 2020.

12. Liu Y, Ning Z, Chen Y, et al. Aerodynamic Characteristics and RNA Concentration of
SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol in Wuhan Hospitals during COVID-19 Outbreak. Pre-press.
bioRxiv https://wwwbiorxivorg/content/101101/20200308982637v1. 2020.

13. Ong SWX, Tan YK, Chia PY, et al. Air, Surface Environmental, and Personal Protective
Equipment Contamination by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
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14. ProMed Mail. Virus detection in environmental samples from the seafood market.
Archive number:20200201.6943858. https://promedmail.org. Accessed April 2, 2020.

15. Kampf G, Todt D, Pfaender S, Steinmann E. Persistence of coronaviruses on

inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. J Hosp Infect.
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April 1, 2020.

17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim guidance for public health
professionals managing people with COVID-19 in home care and isolation who have
pets or other animals. Suggested guidance for homes with household
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managing-people-in-home-care-and-isolation-who-have-pets.html. Accessed April
1, 2020.

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coronavirus disease (COVID-19). What precautionary measures should be taken
when companion or other animals have close contact with humans sick or suspected
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recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus. Accessed
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Animals - Advice for WSAVA Members. Advisory document: updated as of March 16,
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20. Low-level of infection with COVID-19 in pet dog. e government of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region. Press release, March 4, 2020.
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/04/P2020030400658.htm. Accessed
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March 31, 2020.

24. Zhang Q, Zhang H, Huang K, et al. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing serum antibodies in

cats: a serological investigation. bioRxiv. 2020:2020.2004.2001.021196.

25. ompson H. A cat appears to have caught the coronavirus, but it’s complicated.
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covid19. Accessed March 31, 2020.

26. Maurelli MP, Santaniello A, Fioretti A, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L, Menna LF. e Presence
of Toxocara Eggs on Dog's Fur as Potential Zoonotic Risk in Animal-Assisted
Interventions: A Systematic Review. Animals (Basel). 2019;9(10).

27. Scott DW, Horn RT, Jr. Zoonotic dermatoses of dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am
Small Anim Pract. 1987;17(1):117-144.

28. Moriello KA. Zoonotic skin diseases of dogs and cats. Animal health research reviews
/ Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases. 2003;4(2):157-168.

29. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Questions and answers on the 2019
coronavirus disease (COVID-19). What do we know about COVID-19 virus and
companion animals? https://www.oie.int/scienti c-expertise/speci c-information-
and-recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus.
Accessed April 1, 2020.

30. American Veterinary Medical Association. COVID-19. What veterinarians need to

know. SARS-CoV-2 and domestic animals, including
pets. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19.
Accessed April 1, 2020.

AUTHOR
Radford G. Davis /
 DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Iowa State University

Radford G. Davis, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, is an associate professor at Iowa State

University. He earned his DVM from Colorado State University and his master’s degree
in public health from University of Arizona. Dr. Davis works to improve global health
through building and enhancing animal and public health programs in developing
countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

For global readers, a calculator to convert laboratory values, dosages, and other measurements to SI units can be
found here.
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