Studies conducted by scientists in Germany have confirmed that pigs and chickens are not susceptible to COVID-19.

Researchers around the world have been trying to find out if SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can infect other species after it was suspected that the origin could be an animal (bats).

The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut of Germany began infection studies several weeks ago on pigs, chickens, bats, and ferrets, inoculating animals nasally with SARS-CoV-2 to mimic the natural route of infection in humans. Initial results indicated that fruit bats and ferrets are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, while pigs and chickens are not.

The researchers noted that they conducted tests on pigs and chickens due to the close contact they have with humans in intensive production.

The aim of the study was to discover whether the animals become infected, whether the pathogen replicates, and whether the animals show symptoms of the disease. “Under experimental conditions, neither pigs nor chickens were susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection”, the institute said. (Access the English-language press report from the FLI – Friedrich Loeffler Institut: Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: Fruit bats and ferrets are susceptible, pigs and chickens are not)

“According to the current state of knowledge, the virus does not affect them and, therefore, they do not represent a potential risk to human health”. The final results are expected in early May.

The German study follows research carried out in China that investigated the susceptibility of ferrets and animals in close contact with humans to COVID-19. Scientists at the Harbin Vet Research Institute found that SARS-CoV-2 replicates poorly in dogs, pigs, chickens, and ducks, but efficiently in ferrets and cats. (Access the source of information in English and Chinese: Susceptibility of ferrets, cats, dogs, and other domesticated animals to SARS-coronavirus 2. Science. 2020).