According to a recent paper published in the Journal of Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases, common domesticated animals such as cattle, chickens, pigs, frogs, rabbits, sparrows, and goats are not carriers of the Zika virus.
The paper was authored by Kansas State University (KSU) doctoral researcher Izabela Ragan and a team of scientists at Colorado State University (CSU).
“We know that nonhuman primates are important in the sylvatic cycle of Zika virus, but little is known about whether animals common to North America have a role as hosts for the virus,” Ragan said. “Not only has this study been a great learning experience for me as a graduate student, but it comes at a critical time where the knowledge we gain from this work can help us in understanding Zika.”
Prior to the paper’s publication, it was unknown whether common domesticated animals were able to spread the Zika virus, which would pose a significantly greater challenge in combating the virus’ spread in urban environments.
Zika virus is typically spread through the bite of Aedes species mosquito as is known to cause symptoms such as fever, joint pain, rashes and muscle fatigue. In pregnant women, the virus has been shown to cause significant malformations of the fetus, leading to physical birth defects.
“Given the recent emergence and rapid spread of Zika virus, with establishment in many countries, it is vitally important to understand the potential for the virus to be transmitted outside of a human-mosquito cycle,” Stephen Higgs, director of the KSU Biosecurity Research Institute, said. “The results of this collaborative project between veterinarians at Colorado State and Kansas State are reassuring, with none of the 16 species tested likely to make a significant contribution to the zoonotic transmission cycle of Zika virus.”