Animal Health Committee policy statement on COVID-19 diagnostic testing and surveillance in animals

9 April 2020

Dear colleagues

I am writing to advise you that Animal Health Committee has developed a position statement on COVID-19 testing and surveillance in animals. This is copied below and can be found on the Animal Health Committee website (https://www.agriculture.gov.au/animal/health/committees/ahc).

The World Organisation for Animal Health advises that currently there is no evidence to suggest that animals infected by humans are playing a role in the spread of COVID-19. The current spread of COVID-19 is driven by human to human transmission.

The capacity for testing for COVID-19 is not limitless. The priority remains on human health, as the known form of transmission. There have been no reports of the virus in domestic animals or wildlife in Australia.

At this time, diagnostic testing and surveillance in Australian animals for COVID-19 is not recommended, unless on the advice of human and animal health authorities. If testing is required, it should be undertaken at the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (the former Australian Animal Health Laboratory). 

Animal owners/handlers should continue to implement good hygiene and farm biosecurity practices where animals are kept, including washing their hands before and after contact with animals.  

People who are sick or under medical attention for COVID-19 should avoid or minimise close contact with animals as a precaution.   

This policy statement will be reviewed as further information comes to hand.

Kind regards

Sarah (Chair of Animal Health Committee)

Sarah Britton | NSW Chief Veterinary Officer and Group Director Animal Biosecurity 
NSW Department of Primary Industries | Biosecurity and Food Safety
161 Kite Street | Locked Bag 21 | Orange NSW 2800 
W: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au