Rapid Test Center of New York
Dr. Stuart Weiss, FACEP, FAAP, CBCP

March 23, 2021

CoViD-19 News and Information you can trust. Welcome new readers from the Rapid Test Center.

Topics: Are Cats and Dogs at increased risk from the B.1.1.7 variant?

Cats and Dogs We have known for a while that cats can become infected with SARS-CoV-2. There have been several reports of household cats testing positive and back in April 2020, there were reports of lions and tigers getting sick with SARS-CoV-2 at the Bronx Zoo.. These animals are getting infected from their human owners or handlers. Cats, both large and small along with ferrets and minks have similar ACE-2 receptors as humans. ACE-2 receptors are used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to get into our cells and infect us.  Dogs, on the other hand, were thought to be resistant. There have been a small number of dogs that tested positive reported in the literature and these animals came from households where the humans were infected. It was thought that the virus was in their snouts and was picked up when they were swabbed but they were not infected.  Two recent reports may point to the B.1.1.7 variant infecting both cats and dogs. In one study, Eric Leroy, a virologist at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development analyzed pets admitted to the cardiology unit of the Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre in the outskirts of London. From December 2020 to February 2021, the hospital had noticed a sharp uptick in the number of dogs and cats presenting with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart. The scientists looked at 11 pets, eight cats and three dogs. None of the animals had a previous history of heart disease, yet all had come down with symptoms ranging from lethargy and loss of appetite to rapid breathing and fainting. Lab tests revealed cardiac abnormalities, including irregular heartbeats and fluid in the lungs, all symptoms seen in human cases of COVID-19. Seven of the animals had PCR tests and 3 came back positive. The virus was identified as the B.1.1.7 variant in all three of them. Two of the other animals had positive antibody tests indicating previous infection with SARS-CoV-2.  In a second report, from Texas A&M University, posted on March 15th reported B.!.!.7 variant in a dog and a cat from the same household. Neither of these animals had symptoms although the owner was diagnosed with CoViD-19.  The concerning issue with B.1.1.7 is its increased contagiousness over the original virus. As you may recall, the B.1.1.7 is thought to be 30%-50% more transmissible as well as more deadly in humans. Now that we know that it can infect household pets, we will need to watch to see if it is also more contagious in pets and/or more lethal. Either way, if you are sick with CoViD-19, keep your cats and dogs and ferrets away from you until you have recovered. When you are eligible, get your self vaccinated so we can get through this together. . Dr. Stu Weiss

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COVID-19 HEADLINES FOR TODAY

Coronavirus update for March 23, 2021 World Wide Updates Russian President Vladimir Putin gets his coronavirus vaccine San Paulo state registers record-breaking death toll over 24 hours India to open Covid-19 vaccinations for all individuals over age 45 France expands vaccination program to people over 70 From next week, overseas travel from England will be banned unless you have a good reason South Korean President receives AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine Germany to impose even stricter five-day lockdown over Easter holiday Brazil has now reported more than 12 million cases of Covid-19 Oslo shelves planned reopening to contain pandemic EU to widen criteria for possible Covid vaccine bans Greece and Spain to ease restrictions on flights from UK UK and EU may share Netherlands vaccine supplies to ease tensions Spain to change rules on March 30 after UK vaccination success Brazil’s Bolsonaro says he is still not ‘convinced’ by COVID-19 restrictions Zimbabwe’s Covid fightback hamstrung by graft Church bells mark one year since first Czech Covid death Republic of Congo opposition candidate Kolelas dies of Covid-19 Dutch curfew and curbs extended as coronavirus infections surge Total Cases Worldwide: 124,724,503 Total Deaths Worldwide: 2,744,138 Total Recovered: 100,565,041 US Updates All Georgia residents 16 and older can receive a vaccine starting Thursday CDC hopes to study 13,000 pregnant women for each authorized coronavirus vaccine Virginia will loosen statewide Covid-19 restrictions starting April 1, governor says FDA will allow plant to ship Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which should boost supply of the single-dose shot Fauci says “unforced error” on AstraZeneca data could create doubt about Covid-19 vaccine White House told US governors there will be 27 million vaccine doses “across all channels” this week Two states have fully vaccinated 1 in 5 residents, CDC data shows Texas to extend vaccine eligibility to all adults March 29 New York City’s office workers will return to work on May 3, mayor says As more people are vaccinated against Covid-19, Americans are going out more, poll finds  AstraZeneca stands by its US trial results following expert group’s concern Biden administration not confident Johnson & Johnson will meet 20 million vaccine goal by end of month New study probes Covid-19 long-haulers Regeneron says its treatment for Covid-19 reduces hospitalizations by 70% Fake vaccine cards are being sold on the dark web Independent US board “concerned” by AstraZeneca’s vaccine data announcements Fully vaccinated people can visit unvaccinated family and friends, but one household at a time, US CDC official says CDC director warns coronavirus variants could spark another avoidable surge NYS Assemblyman Ron Kim tests positive for COVID-19 Sinovac COVID vaccine appears to be safe for use in children and teens, research shows Insomnia, burnout, lack of sleep may increase likelihood of COVID infections US agency questions AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine trial data Queens man accused in $1.7 million COVID-19 paycheck protection fraud scam Total US cases: 30,619,619 Total US deaths: 556,548 Total Recovered: 22,909,928 Total Tested in US: 383,458,672 Total cases in CA: 3,646,866 Total deaths in CA: 57,441 Total cases in TX: 2,761,354 Total deaths in TX: 47,674 Total cases in FL: 2,016,513 Total deaths in FL: 32,840 Total cases in NY: 1,848,593 Total deaths in NY: 49,746 Total cases in IL: 1,224,915 Total deaths in IL: 23,391 Total cases in GA: 1,048,173 Total death in GA: 18,588 Total Vaccines Administered in US: 128,217,029

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