Coronavirus: Chickens are not susceptible

22-04-2020 | | |
Germany s Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut examined whether chickens can become infected with SARS-CoV-2. Photo: FLI
Germany s Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut examined whether chickens can become infected with SARS-CoV-2. Photo: FLI

It is being investigated by various research institutes worldwide whether the coronavirus, which was originally believed to have originated from bats, can infect other animals. First results by the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut show that neither chickens nor pigs are susceptible.

In the infection studies, the animals were inoculated nasally with SARS-CoV-2 to mimic the natural route of infection in humans. It was examined whether the animals become infected, the pathogen replicates and the animals show symptoms of disease.

Under experimental conditions, neither chickens nor pigs were found to be susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2. According to the current state of knowledge, they are not affected by the virus and therefore do not pose a potential risk to human health. The complete evaluation of all test series will take some time and final results are expected at the beginning of May.

Covid-19 Up-date

What impact is the pandemic having on the global poultry sector and how are they dealing with it.

Join 31,000+ subscribers

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about all the need-to-know content in the poultry sector, three times a week.
Kinsley
Natalie Kinsley Freelance journalist





Beheer