Science

Which animals get Covid-19? A new database tracks cases in species around the world

Dogs, cats, and hamsters — oh my!

by Jennifer Walter
Golden retriever dog wearing blue and white fabric mask , looking at camera , protection from corona...
Shutterstock

Shutterstock

Humans aren’t the only ones that get Covid.

Through the pandemic, numerous animals across the globe also contracted SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

When the virus runs wild in multiple species, it gets more opportunities to mutate.

Mutations give rise to new variants — ones that could potentially spill back over to humans — and can make it harder to treat and track the virus.

Shutterstock
Tap
Space, Time, Dinosaurs, and Other Essential Topics
Get the best of science—space missions, black holes, futuristic biology—delivered daily, minus the jargon.
By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy