COVID-19 pandemic and animals

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The COVID-19 pandemic has affected animals directly and indirectly. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is zoonotic, which likely to have originated from animals such as bats and pangolins.^[1][2][3] Human impact on wildlife and animal habitats may be causing such spillover events to become much more likely.^[4][5] The largest incident to date was the culling of 14 to 17 million mink in Denmark after it was discovered that they were infected with a mutant strain of the virus.^[6][7]

While research is inconclusive, pet owners reported that their animals contributed to better mental health and lower loneliness during COVID-19 lockdowns.^[8][9] However, contact with humans infected with the virus could have adverse effects on pet animals.^[10]