The Possible Risk of Reverse Zoonosis in COVID-19: An Epidemiological Driving Approach for the One Health Future Challenges: A Review

Abstract

The emerging coronaviral infection named as COVID-19 was officially declared as pandemic on 11, March 2020 by WHO. It has so far been reported from 215 countries or territories affecting about twenty seven million people infected globally. The novel attributes on COVID-19 with sporadic reports on animal, alarms the future chances of animal mediated COVID-19 transmission. Despite lockdown in two-third of the global population, health officials are worried about the risky nature of animal infection in the current pandemic situation. The reverse zoonotic index cases in the current epidemic reported sporadically in animals through infected humans. Reported evidence suggests that bat as the major reservoir involved in COVID-19. However, still, the role of intermediate host involvement in the human COVID-19 transmission from the bat is not yet understood. It is clear that humans play a potent source of infection to transmit the disease to other humans and animals. A literature survey was conducted to a) understand the level of animal’s involvement in COVID19 pandemic and b) to measure the amount of risk of reverse zoonoses in pet animals, exposed animals etc. The epidemiological investigation suggested the need for strong surveillance on the human-animal interface area with strict advisory measures to combat this dangerous disease transmission to humans and other animals. Hence understanding animal’s role in the current pandemic is of prime importance in devising preparedness and control strategies through unique one health approach. In implementing suitable research protocol at animal-human interface along with environment by devising appropriate control strategies will reduce the future reverse zoonosis risk in the current pandemic through a holistic one health drive.