Wildlife rehabilitation centers as a potential source of transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 into native wildlife of Latin America

• Published in: Biotropica 2021-07, Vol.53 (4), p.987-993
• Main Authors: Chaves, Andrea, Montecino‐Latorre, Diego, Alcázar, Paloma, Suzán, Gerardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amplification; Animal welfare; Animals; Biosafety; Biosecurity; Commentaries; conservation; COVID-19; Economic resources; Economics; Feasibility studies; health risks; Impact analysis; Instruments; Latin America; Pandemics; Pathogens; Primates; Rehabilitation; Reintroduction; SARS‐CoV‐2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Social impact; Symptoms; Viral diseases; Wildlife; Wildlife habitats; wildlife rehabilitation centers
• ISSN: 0006-3606; 1744-7429
• DOI: 10.1111/btp.12965

The COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the entire world, causing a great number of mortality of humans and affecting the economy, while conservation efforts are finally recognized to prevent further pandemics. The wildlife rehabilitation centers (WRCs) play a relevant role in animal welfare; nevertheless, they also represent an imminent risk of pathogen transmission between humans‐to‐animals and between animals. Moreover, WRCs could spread pathogens into natural habitats through the reintroduction of infectious individuals. These biosafety concerns at WRCs may increase as the economic and social impact of the COVID‐19 extends. We explored the current situation of Latin American WRCs under the COVID‐19 pandemic to determine the feasibility of SARS‐CoV‐2 introduction, amplification, and spread within these institutions. We surveyed WRCs from eight Latin American countries. We found that pandemic is affecting these institutions in many aspects: workers with symptoms compatible with COVID‐19, reduced economic resources, and lack of information and support from governmental authorities. These have forced WRCs to reduce the workforce, veterinary visits, and animal food rations and to increase the number of animals released. This scenario generates a risky environment for the transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2, especially for felids, mustelids, and non‐human primates. Therefore, it is imperative to respect quarantine periods, monitor incoming patients, increase biosecurity measures, develop and apply guidelines and recommendations for the protection of personnel and biosafety of enclosures and instruments. It is of utmost importance the proper and safer reintroduction of recovered wildlife. in Spanish is available with online material. RESUMEN La pandemia de COVID‐19 ha impactado mundialmente, provocando una alta mortalidad en humanos y afectando la economía, resaltando la importancia de los esfuerzos de conservación para prevenir nuevas pandemias. Los centros de rehabilitación de vida silvestre juegan un papel relevante en el bienestar animal, sin embargo, también representan un riesgo inminente de transmisión de patógenos entre humanos a animales y entre animales. Además, los centros de rehabilitación de vida silvestre podrían propagar patógenos a hábitats naturales mediante la reintroducción de individuos infecciosos. Estas preocupaciones de bioseguridad en centros de rehabilitación de vida silvestre pueden aumentar a medida que se extiende el impacto económico y social d