OREANDA-NEWS. The World Health Organization has confirmed that humans can infect domestic animals and some wildlife with COVID-19.

Melita Vujnovich, a representative of the organization in Russia, told RIA Novosti: "The COVID-19 virus spreads mainly through human-to-human transmission, but there is evidence of human-to-animal transmission through the channel, since it is a zoonotic virus. The intermediate host has not yet been identified."

According to her, minks, dogs, domestic cats, lions, tigers and raccoon dogs are among the animals that have come into contact with people and have become ill with coronavirus infection.

Vujnovic noted that it is important to understand which species of animals are most susceptible to the virus in order to find other potential animal reservoirs and avoid repeated outbreaks in the future.

Russia has registered the world's first COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine for animals. The vaccine "Karnivak-Kov" was developed by scientists of the Federal Center for Animal Health (FGBI "ARRIAH") subordinate to the Rosselkhoznadzor. At the moment, the period of preservation of immunity after vaccination is estimated at six months. Mass production of the vaccine may start in April.