Equine Coronaviruses.

This research paper investigates the role of coronaviruses in horses, focusing particularly on potential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans) because of biological similarities. Evidence indicates that while horses could potentially be affected by the virus, they are likely incidental hosts, meaning that they do not typically spread the virus or become seriously ill.

Understanding Equine Coronaviruses

• The study explores coronaviruses, a class of RNA viruses, and their impact on horses.
• These viruses often result in ailments such as diarrhoea in young horses, while adult horses display different symptoms, including a lack of energy, fever, a loss of appetite, and various signs of gastrointestinal distress.
• The paper further identifies a particular type of coronavirus known as equine coronavirus, which mainly affects equids, a group of mammals consisting of horses and related animals.

Potential Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2

• The research points out that horses may be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 in humans.
• This theory is based on the physiological similarities between the receptors in humans and horses that the virus docks onto.
• However, despite this potential vulnerability, the findings indicate that horses may not be a primary host for the virus.

Role of Horses in the Spread of the Virus

• The authors suggest that horses could be “incidental hosts” – creatures that can temporarily harbour a disease but do not continue its transmission.
• This is supported by the observation that horses appear to contract SARS-CoV-2 from humans in exceptional circumstances, rather than commonly spreading or falling severely ill from the virus.
• Despite these findings, the authors caution that more evidence is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
• They stress the importance of continued observation of horses for potential transmission from humans who have either symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19.