Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/10/covid-19-scan-oct-13-2020
COVID-19 Scan for Oct 13, 2020
COVID-19 in zoo animals; $16 trillion in pandemic costs
Filed Under:
COVID-19
COVID-19 passed from humans to large cats at Bronx Zoo, study suggests
The first SARS-CoV-2 infections in US animals were confirmed in large cats at the Bronx Zoo in March during the height of the local COVID-19 outbreak. An American Society for Microbiology study today details the genomic characteristics of viruses that infected zookeepers, four tigers, and three African lions, supporting a human-to-animal transmission pathway.
SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—has a suspected zoonotic origin, meaning it arose in animals. Genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 shows a close relationship with bat coronaviruses. Natural SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals have been reported in dogs, cats, and farmed mink, and in ferrets and fruit bats in the lab.
"Identifying susceptible animal species, reservoirs, and transmission routes between species is a topic of global scientific and public interest," the authors wrote.
The study examined respiratory and fecal virus samples from two Malayan tigers, two Amur tigers, three African lions, and respiratory samples from animal keepers at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo in New York City. The study authors found close evolutionary relationships between human and cat viral strains, with genetically identical viral strains for one tiger and keeper.
The concurrent community outbreak, similarities in viral sequence, and lack of new animal introductions during the study period support a human-to-animal transmission pathway, but the mechanism of transmission is yet unclear. The study authors call for further transmission mechanism research as well as more conservative protocols in settings with close human-animal contact, including the use of personal protective equipment.
"As long as anthropogenic development and population growth bring humans and wildlife into increasing proximity, legal and illegal harvesting persists, and consumption of wildlife and wildlife products exists, there will be continued and significant risk of pandemic viral emergence with devastating global impact on human and animal health, economies, food security, and biodiversity," the authors warn.
Oct 13 mBio study
US pandemic costs may total $16 trillion—or 90% of annual GNP
A JAMA commentary yesterday by Harvard University experts estimated US COVID-19–related economic costs at more than $16 trillion, or about 90% of the annual gross domestic product over the course of the pandemic.
Economic impacts represent a loss of nearly $200,000 for a family of four due to lost income and shorter, less healthy lives. The experts analyzed mortality, morbidity, mental health impacts, and direct economic losses, assuming that the pandemic will be contained by fall 2021. Unemployment insurance claims total more than 60 million to date. Lost output due to unemployment suggests a loss of $7.6 trillion over the next decade.
Deaths and reduced quality of life represent another significant COVID-19–related economic loss. With approximately 5,000 US deaths per week, projections point to another 250,000 deaths in the next year in addition to increased deaths from other causes, totaling 625,000 cumulative deaths and $4.4 trillion in expenses.
Significant long-term complications occur in roughly a third of those who survive severe or critical disease. With seven times as many survivors as deaths, long-term impairment might affect twice as many people as the number of deaths. Respiratory problems similar to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—estimated to reduce quality of life by 25% to 35%—may be characteristic of this group, leading to an estimated $2.6 trillion loss through 2021.
Mental health impacts are also consequential, with 40% of US adults reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression, compared with a rate of 11% in 2019. Projections suggest an additional 80 million individuals with mental health conditions and total losses of about $1.6 trillion.
The authors highlight the potential for pandemic mitigation policies to dramatically reduce economic costs, especially wide-scale population testing, contact tracing, and isolation. A $6 million investment to test 100,000 individuals shows a projected savings of $176 million, without considering probable reduction in future cases.
"The immense financial loss from COVID-19 suggests a fundamental rethinking of government's role in pandemic preparation," the authors wrote. "As the nation struggles to recover from COVID-19, investments that are made in testing, contact tracing, and isolation should be established permanently and not dismantled when the concerns about COVID-19 begin to recede."
Oct 12 JAMA commentary
COVID-19 Scan for Oct 13, 2020
COVID-19 in zoo animals; $16 trillion in pandemic costs
Filed Under:
COVID-19
COVID-19 passed from humans to large cats at Bronx Zoo, study suggests
The first SARS-CoV-2 infections in US animals were confirmed in large cats at the Bronx Zoo in March during the height of the local COVID-19 outbreak. An American Society for Microbiology study today details the genomic characteristics of viruses that infected zookeepers, four tigers, and three African lions, supporting a human-to-animal transmission pathway.
SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—has a suspected zoonotic origin, meaning it arose in animals. Genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 shows a close relationship with bat coronaviruses. Natural SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals have been reported in dogs, cats, and farmed mink, and in ferrets and fruit bats in the lab.
"Identifying susceptible animal species, reservoirs, and transmission routes between species is a topic of global scientific and public interest," the authors wrote.
The study examined respiratory and fecal virus samples from two Malayan tigers, two Amur tigers, three African lions, and respiratory samples from animal keepers at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo in New York City. The study authors found close evolutionary relationships between human and cat viral strains, with genetically identical viral strains for one tiger and keeper.
The concurrent community outbreak, similarities in viral sequence, and lack of new animal introductions during the study period support a human-to-animal transmission pathway, but the mechanism of transmission is yet unclear. The study authors call for further transmission mechanism research as well as more conservative protocols in settings with close human-animal contact, including the use of personal protective equipment.
"As long as anthropogenic development and population growth bring humans and wildlife into increasing proximity, legal and illegal harvesting persists, and consumption of wildlife and wildlife products exists, there will be continued and significant risk of pandemic viral emergence with devastating global impact on human and animal health, economies, food security, and biodiversity," the authors warn.
Oct 13 mBio study
US pandemic costs may total $16 trillion—or 90% of annual GNP
A JAMA commentary yesterday by Harvard University experts estimated US COVID-19–related economic costs at more than $16 trillion, or about 90% of the annual gross domestic product over the course of the pandemic.
Economic impacts represent a loss of nearly $200,000 for a family of four due to lost income and shorter, less healthy lives. The experts analyzed mortality, morbidity, mental health impacts, and direct economic losses, assuming that the pandemic will be contained by fall 2021. Unemployment insurance claims total more than 60 million to date. Lost output due to unemployment suggests a loss of $7.6 trillion over the next decade.
Deaths and reduced quality of life represent another significant COVID-19–related economic loss. With approximately 5,000 US deaths per week, projections point to another 250,000 deaths in the next year in addition to increased deaths from other causes, totaling 625,000 cumulative deaths and $4.4 trillion in expenses.
Significant long-term complications occur in roughly a third of those who survive severe or critical disease. With seven times as many survivors as deaths, long-term impairment might affect twice as many people as the number of deaths. Respiratory problems similar to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—estimated to reduce quality of life by 25% to 35%—may be characteristic of this group, leading to an estimated $2.6 trillion loss through 2021.
Mental health impacts are also consequential, with 40% of US adults reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression, compared with a rate of 11% in 2019. Projections suggest an additional 80 million individuals with mental health conditions and total losses of about $1.6 trillion.
The authors highlight the potential for pandemic mitigation policies to dramatically reduce economic costs, especially wide-scale population testing, contact tracing, and isolation. A $6 million investment to test 100,000 individuals shows a projected savings of $176 million, without considering probable reduction in future cases.
"The immense financial loss from COVID-19 suggests a fundamental rethinking of government's role in pandemic preparation," the authors wrote. "As the nation struggles to recover from COVID-19, investments that are made in testing, contact tracing, and isolation should be established permanently and not dismantled when the concerns about COVID-19 begin to recede."
Oct 12 JAMA commentary