OIA21 0201 Appendix One 20200220 MPI BSI IR004 20.pdf

IN CONFIDENCE
BSI SITUATION REPORT
Hong Kong tests more dogs for COVID-19 virus
Released
20 March 2020
To
Controller, COVID-19 Response
Intelligence Function Lead, COVID-19 Response
From
Biosecurity Intelligence team
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Key Judgements
 Despite a second dog in Hong Kong testing positive for COVID-19 virus, we assess that dogs
are unlikely to become sick with COVID-19 or transmit the virus to humans or other dogs.
 There would be little benefit in quarantining dogs living with COVID-19 cases in NZ.
Background
1.
We recently assessed that domestic animals were unlikely to acquire and transmit COVID-
19 virus.[1] [2] Since then a number of dogs have been quarantined and a positive test result has been
reported for a second dog in Hong Kong.[3]

INFORMATION
Two dogs from the same household were placed in quarantine after their owner tested
positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday 18 March.
 One of the two dogs returned a positive test for COVID-19 viral material. Neither dog is
showing clinical signs of COVID-19. Hong Kong authorities plan further testing.
2.
As  noted  in  our  previous  reports,[2] [4]  the first  dog  to test  positive  in  Hong  Kong  has  since
died, but the cause of death is unlikely to be COVID-19.[5] The series of tests were ambiguous as to
whether it had a low level infection or was passively carrying viral material. The result for the second
dog is similarly ambiguous. Currently available evidence indicates that, if a dog exposed to a COVID-
19 patient can be infected at all, this would be a rare event and the level of infection would be very
low.
 The  World  Organisation  for  Animal  Health  (OIE),  the  World  Small  Animal  Veterinary
Association (WSAVA) and the USA’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
all recommend that COVID-19 patients restrict their contact with pets, as a precautionary
measure until the virus is better understood.[6] [7] [8]
3.
In this report, we update our assessment of whether dogs play a significant role in the spread
of COVID-19.
Assessment
Can dogs spread COVID-19?
4.
It is highly unlikely that dogs can spread COVID-19 to people or other dogs. We have seen
no reporting that the COVID-19 tested dogs in Hong Kong have transmitted the virus to people or
other dogs. More generally, we have seen no reports of people or other animals contracting COVID-
19 from dogs.
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
 Similarly, in the SARS epidemic in 2003, a few dogs tested positive for the virus without
transmitting it or showing clinical signs.
IN CONFIDENCE
Page 1 of 3
This  document  is  the  property  of  the  Ministry  for  Primary  Industries.  This  document  must  be  handled,  stored  and  disseminated  in
accordance  with  the  security  procedures  applicable  to  its  security  classification  as  set  out  in  Ministry  for  Primary  Industries’  Security
Policies and Guidelines.

IN CONFIDENCE
Should dogs living with confirmed cases in NZ be put into quarantine?
5.
There would be little benefit in quarantining dogs living with COVID-19 cases in NZ, as they
are unlikely to spread the virus.
  While acknowledging there is no evidence of animal susceptibility, OIE, WSAVA and CDC
continue to advise that people with COVID-19 minimise physical contact with their pets,
and observe appropriate hygiene measures.[6] [7] [8]
  Quarantining could compromise the welfare of the dogs and their owners.[6]
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  MPI  currently  recommends  that  dogs  are  not  moved  off  a  property  where  there  is  a
confirmed COVID-19 case in the household.[9]
ACT
Should dogs living with confirmed cases in NZ be tested for COVID-19?
6.
There would be little benefit in testing  dogs living with people who have COVID-19 in NZ.
Currently available tests would not indicate dogs’ capability to spread the virus, and so would provide
little or no insight into the risks to either humans or other dogs.
Conclusion
7.
There is no current evidence that dogs can  get sick with COVID-19 or  transmit COVID-19
virus  to  humans  or  other  dogs.  We  will  continue  to  monitor  COVID-19  and  provide  updates  as
required.
References
INFORMATION

1.  BSI/BSRA report, ‘Does the novel coronavirus that has emerged in China impact domestic
animals?’ Released 7 February 2020. 20200207 Domestic animals and 2019-nCoV.pdf
2.  BSI/BRSA  report,  ‘Can  COVID-19  infect  domestic  animals?’  Released  5  March  2020.
20200207 Domestic animals and 2019-nCoV.pdf
3.  https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3075993/coronavirus-
hong-kong-confirms-second-dog. Accessed 20 March 2020.
4.  BSI Intelligence Summary 003/20. Released 19 March 2020. 20200319 BSI INTSUM.pdf
OFFICIAL
5.  https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3075770/coronavirus-
very-unlikely-hong-kong-dog-tested. Accessed 20 March 2020.
6.  https://www.oie.int/en/scientific-expertise/specific-information-and-
recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus/ Accessed 20 March
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2020.
7.  https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/WSAVA-Issues-Guidance-on-Pets-and-
the-New-Coronavirus.pdf. Accessed 20 March 2020.
8.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#anchor 1584390773118.  Accessed
20 March 2020.
9.  https://www.agriculture.govt.nz/protection-and-
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response/responding/alerts/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-animal-welfare/.  Accessed  20
March 2020

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IN CONFIDENCE
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This  document  is  the  property  of  the  Ministry  for  Primary  Industries.  This  document  must  be  handled,  stored  and  disseminated  in
accordance  with  the  security  procedures  applicable  to  its  security  classification  as  set  out  in  Ministry  for  Primary  Industries’  Security
Policies and Guidelines.

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ACT
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
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