A new Canadian study on coronavirus origin-it states the virus went from bats to dogs intestines to humans???

The debate on coronavirus and the controversy over it never seems to end.
The virus is so new that scientists are still trying to gain reliable information on it.
Contradictions follow and different studies have varying results.

As regards the origin, scientists have put forth diverse theories. The USA is accusing China of having spilled the virus out of its Wuhan lab.

Furthermore, most researchers agree that the virus originated from the wet markets of China having come there from the bats. And now a new Canadian study states that bats passed the virus to the dogs before it spread like fire to human beings.

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The Canadian study on coronavirus

There is a recent study that scientists conducted at the University of Ottawa’s biology department. It suggests that the most likely intermediate host for the transmission of Sars-CoV-2 into humans is stray dogs.

Professor Xuhua Xia of the department states that the bat coronavirus first infected the intestines of a dog. Here, they evolved and then moved on to infect human beings and cause this pandemic.

Professor Xuhua adds that the viral regions of DNA – CpG dinucleotides trigger the immune system and these antiviral proteins could be useful in defense.

But some coronavirus can reduce the regions of DNA – CpG dinucleotides and hence evade body immunity and attack the host more severely.

Further, Xuhua said that they found that Sars-CoV-2 and the bat coronavirus have the lowest amount of CpG. Additionally, canine coronaviruses have similar genomic values.

More about the study of University of Ottawa

There is evidence that supports that the bat coronavirus entered the dogs who ate bat meat. Later, after evolution in the gut, it came to humans.

The study states that the human digestive system has cellular receptors for Sars-CoV-2. This supports that dogs’ intestines were intermediates of transmission of the virus from bats to humans.

The professor elaborated:

“The interpretation is further corroborated by a recent report that a high proportion of Covid-19 patients also suffer from digestive discomfort.
“In fact, 48.5% presented with digestive symptoms as their chief complaint.”

Therefore, Xuhua feels that Sars-like coronaviruses in feral dogs should be monitored in the fight against Sars-CoV-2.

Other experts and their contradiction of the above theory

Professor James Wood, head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Researcher in infection dynamics at, the University of Cambridge does not agree with Xuhua’s views.

James says:

“There is far too much inference and far too little direct data. I do not see anything in this paper to support this supposition and am concerned that this paper has been published in this journal.
“I do not believe that any dog owners should be concerned as a result of this work.”

Caroline Allen, chief veterinary officer, of RSPCA, opined:

“It is really important to note that this is just a theory.
“There is currently no evidence that dogs were the origin of this virus and no evidence that they are playing a role in the spread of COVID-19, which is a disease transmitted between humans.”

Also, read Will Covid-free certificates be mandatory for travel after the lift of the Coronavirus lockdown?

Fearing that people may abandon their pets after this, Caroline said:

“It is vitally important that people do not abandon their pets or harm stray dogs on the basis of this theoretical paper or misleading reports, as this could have a huge impact on animal welfare.
“We would encourage people to stick to the latest government and medical advice and visit our website for more advice around pet care during the crisis – www.rspca.org.uk/coronavirus”

Source: Sky News

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