[Animals] Russia develops covid-19 vaccine for animals

[#Steeven.™]

As vaccination efforts increase internationally, Russia reported that they have just registered their "world's first veterinary vaccine" that fights COVID-19 in animals.

This is Carnivac-Kov, a formula developed by the Federal Center for Animal Health (FGBI), a branch of Rosselkhoznadzor, the veterinary health authority in Russia.

According to the agency, this vaccine is ready for mass production and they plan to manufacture around 10,000 doses per day, IFLScience reported. The two doses of this formula cost $ 7.72 USD.

Carnivac-Kov clinical trials began in August 2020 with cats, dogs, mink, and ferrets. In October 2020, more tests were conducted on more dogs and cats, as well as other fur-bearing species, such as Arctic foxes. The reports claim that the investigation was successful, although the data was not published.

"The results of the research allow us to conclude that the vaccine is harmless and its high immunogenic activity, since all the vaccinated animals tested in 100% of the cases developed antibodies against the Coronavirus," said Konstantin Savenkov, deputy director of Rosselkhoznadzor.

The formula is not recommended for pregnant or just calving animals, animals less than two months old, or clinically ill animals.

On the other hand, in the United States, clinical trials of a veterinary vaccine against Covid-19 developed by Zoetis are being carried out. So far tests have been done on apes at the San Diego Zoo, but it's unclear if the formula will be commercially available in the near future.

Despite the fact that Covid-19 in animals does not pose a risk to public health, pet owners in Russia now have the possibility to vaccinate their animals to prevent them from getting sick from the virus.

As of March 2, 2021, SARS-CoV-2 infections had been confirmed in at least 115 cats, 81 dogs, as well as 27 large cats and 3 gorillas in captivity; according to the US Veterinary Medical Association.

Some studies indicate that the virus could cause heart problems in domestic dogs and cats. However, there are few reports of pets becoming seriously ill from the Coronavirus and these animals do not pose a risk of transmission to humans.