Corona diagnostics Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR)

Coronavirus

A large variety of coronaviruses exist naturally and can cause diseases in many animal species. Several coronaviruses are zoonoses: they are able to infect humans. SARS-CoV-2 transferred from animals to humans in Wuhan (China) late 2019, and is responsible for the COVID-19 disease. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) does research into the coronavirus.

WVBR contributes to combatting and preventing the coronavirus and COVID-19 in several ways. When an unknown zoonosis – such as the SARS-coronavirus in 2019 – emerges, we have the capacity to research it rapidly. Samples of a suspect animal (species) are analysed using a diagnostics pipeline created by WVBR for rapid detection of new pathogens.

Coronavirus infection

A large variety of coronaviruses occurs in nature. These viruses are capable of causing many animal diseases. For example, canine coronavirus (CCV) in dogs, feline corona (FCV) in cats, porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) in pigs and infectious bronchitis virus (IBD) in chickens. These viruses are species-specific and are not transferable to humans.

SARS-CoV-2 in animals

The chance that (farm) animals become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is very small. Research attempts to infect pigs and chickens with the virus have failed. A few cases of dogs infected with the virus have been reported. Cats appear to be more vulnerable. In the Netherlands, mink from several mink farms were infected. There are possible infections from mink to employees.

Clinical signs coronavirus

In humans, coronaviruses usually just cause the common cold. However, coronaviruses that are transferred from animals to humans can indeed cause serious ailments. Previously, this happened with the coronaviruses that cause SARS and MERS, both serious respiratory infections that are potentially lethal in humans, as well as in 2019/2020 with SARS-CoV-2.

Spread of coronavirus

Results of studies indicate that the first patients contracted the virus at a market in Wuhan (China). A virus bearing similarities to SARS-CoV-2 was found in the exotic pangolin. This animal is sometimes illegally hunted and traded in China. The virus may possibly have been passed to humans from bats through this intermediary host. Bats tolerate viruses. The Chinese horseshoe bat is suspected of carrying SARS-CoV-2. Previously, this bat has been known to carry viruses with a high degree of similarity, such as SARS.

Genetic analyses of the first viruses indicate two different strains turned up in humans in November 2019. The virus then spread from human to human through the air and contact with infected surfaces.

In some slaughterhouses in the Netherlands, cases of employees infected by coronavirus were identified. There is no evidence that food, such as meat, is a source of the transmission of the coronavirus. The virus needs humans or animals to stay alive and grow. That is not possible in food. In addition to this, currently no coronavirus infections are known in for example, pigs, cows and poultry.

Diagnostics coronavirus

WBVR has diagnostic tests available to test animals for coronavirus. These tests are carried out exclusively in emergency situations and in consultation with the NVWA. For example, in the Netherlands COVID-19 infections on mink farms were found. WBVR tested these animals and confirmed the infections.

Prevention and control coronavirus

Pet owners and other animal keepers are advised to adhere to general hygiene measures and to delegate the care of animals to others when showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Research by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research

In collaboration with several partners we have developed diagnostic tests to show coronavirus infection as well as antibodies in various animal species.

WBVR and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) collaborate on mitigating and preventing coronavirus. WBVR is tasked with developing preclinical models for SARS-CoV-2, which will allow vaccines and antiviral therapeutics to be tested for efficacy and safety. Our experts have developed a COVID-19 model in hamsters. WBVR also offers virus neutralization tests (VNTs) against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

WBVR designs methods to evaluate the efficacy of disinfectants to inactivate different coronaviruses.

Collaboration

Wageningen University & Research (and with it, WVBR) is a partner to the Netherlands Centre for One Health (NCOH) and forms part of the Dutch Signalling Forum Zoonoses (Dutch acronym SOZ). In relation to the pandemic, WBVR took part in the World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 working group, the COVID-19 animal disease expertise group of the Dutch government and OMT-Z (Outbreak Management Team Zoonoses).

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