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A new study says dozens of mammals such as horses, dolphins or goats can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 disease.
Chinese researchers have analyzed animal cells in the laboratory to confirm which of them have cellular receptors known as ACE2 which aid in infection.
ACE2 receptors have a shape that fits the outer one of the coronavirus, giving them the ability to enter the bloodstream.
The group studied 44 non-human mammal species, such as pets, livestock and others that can be found in zoos or aquariums, that had ACE2-type receptors.
Among the latter were gorillas, sperm whales, rhinos, horses, cats, goats, cavities, pandas, bears, and leopards, which they said could be infected with the coronavirus.
“We found that SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to infect a wide range of mammals, including pets, cattle and animals often kept in zoos and aquariums. “These species are endangered by the possibility of human-animal or animal-animal transmission,” the researchers wrote.
“Our study highlights the importance of banning the illegal trade in animals or their consumption, as well as implementing surveillance of animals that have contact with humans, which can function as a ‘zoonotic reservoir’ of the virus.”
The researchers said that five species of mammals did not appear to have ACE2 receptors – marmosets, koalas, rats, squirrel monkeys, and hairy cappuccino, the latter a type of brown haired monkey from South America.
The researchers warned that their findings came from laboratory conditions and not from real life.
But their findings published in the agency PNAS, are in line with other studies on cats, dogs and monkeys that are susceptible to the virus.
A total of 28 species were identified as endangered by SARS-CoV-2, including squirrels, cows, sheep, donkeys, polar bear, panda.
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