Does COVID-19 pose a threat for humans?

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 is a zoonotic pathogen. Natural infections with this virus occur in non-human primates, canids, felids, minks and apparently many other species, including wildlife and laboratory animals are susceptible. It has been also proved that pets, mostly dogs and cats, that were in close contact with their owners suffering from COVID-19 have also become infected. These animals have angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2) with high affinity for SARS-CoV-2, so are permissive to infection, they also exhibit sustained viral shedding and can transmit the virus to conspecifics. None of herbivorous species as cattle, sheep, goat, alpaca and also rabbit shed infectious virus via nasal, oral or fecal routes, although viral RNA was detected in several animals. Neutralizing antibody are either absent or of low titers one month after infection. The domestic livestock contribute to SARS‑CoV‑2 epidemiology. COVID-19 cases due to the contact with mink could suggest that animal to human viral transmission is possible. The white-tailed deer in the populations have been exposed to SARS‑CoV‑2 and it can infect multiple domestic and wild animal species. Though the SARS‑CoV‑2 causes few or no clinical symptoms in most animal species, some scientists fear that wildlife might become a reservoir of infection, thus possibly viral mutations. In this review, current information about SARS‑CoV‑2 infection in animals and the potential spread of the virus to humans through contact with dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, farmed minks, cattle, pigs, laboratory animals, white-tailed deer, and zoo animals was presented and discussed