AHI Statement Regarding Coronavirus
March 17, 2020
As the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across the world, the Animal Health Institute and its members are actively monitoring the situation and its potential impacts on veterinary medicine. Member companies are in contact with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) to keep the agency informed of any shortages or delays in production. At this time, no member companies have reported significant disruptions or shortages related to COVID-19.
Experts have not expressed concern about transmission to or from animals. Multiple international and domestic health organizations have indicated that pets and farm animals are not considered a risk for contracting or spreading COVID-19. To date, there is no evidence that companion animals can spread the disease. Health agencies, including CDC, have also confirmed that there is currently no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of the virus.
Below is a list of sources with information on the disease, its impacts, transmission routes, precautions taken by the human and animal health industries, and measures being taken to contain its spread.
- American Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- OIE (World Organization for Animal Health): https://www.oie.int/en/scientific-expertise/specific-information-and-recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus/
- S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Supply Chain Update: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-supply-chain-update
