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Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to share a new FAO publication, “Exposure of humans or animals to SARS-CoV-2 from wild, livestock, companion and aquatic animals: Qualitative exposure assessment”, you can access the document here:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9959en
PDF URL: http://www.fao.org/3/ca9959en/ca9959en.pdf
Card page: http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca9959en
This Exposure Assessment is a technical document for Members and country veterinary services. It was prepared in response to a request for guidance on a risk-based approach to undertake SARS-CoV-2 investigations in animals, as expressed by Members and several research institutions.
Understanding the risk of exposure of humans or animals to SARS‑CoV‑2 from animals and their products is essential for containing virus spread, prioritizing research, protecting food systems, and informing national One Health investigations and mitigation measures. This Qualitative Exposure Assessment gives a comprehensive review of available scientific evidence and assessment of exposure risk from different wild or domestic animal species.
This publication provides:
a. assessment of the risk of human or animal exposure to SARS‑CoV‑2 through contact with, handling or consumption of wild, domestic and aquatic animal species or their products;
b. identification of current knowledge gaps regarding the zoonotic origin or animal‑human spillover of SARS‑CoV‑2 and recommendations on priority studies;
c. summary of available evidence for SARS‑CoV‑2 susceptibility of different animal species;
d. evidence‑based recommendations on how to prioritize animal species for targeted field investigations or research studies;
e. recommendations for targeted One Health investigations and epidemiological, laboratory, anthropological or seasonality studies to fill critical knowledge gaps evidenced by this exposure assessment.
At this early stage, when available data is not sufficient to draw specific conclusions, FAO discourages sampling surveys as part of active surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in animal species that would distract time and resources away from other responsibilities of veterinary services. Instead, FAO encourages public health, veterinary and wildlife authorities, and forestry and natural resources management to work closely together with a One Health approach to investigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission between animals and humans, provided conditions and resources allow. A suggested approach for field investigation in animals is provided.
I hope national veterinary services can play a pivotal role in coordinating an One Health approach to use results and recommendations of this assessment to inform country‑level risk assessment and provide the evidence base for targeted SARS‑CoV‑2 investigations in animals and mitigation options.
I seize this opportunity to thank you all for the usual cooperation.
Best regards,
Keith Sumption
Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO)
Animal Health Leader, Animal Health Service
Animal Production and Health Division
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