Interação homem e animal em tutores positivos para Coronavírus (SARS-Cov-2) e instrução de medidas profiláticas à disseminação do vírus no município de Realeza-PR

Abstract

The pandemic of the new Coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2) brought with it numerous questions, among them the increase of the human-animal bond, the possible benefits in this relationship, as well as the possibility of behavioral changes in animals in a post-pandemic period. In addition, prophylactic measures are also necessary between positive guardians and their animals, mainly due to the possibility of transmission from humans to pets. In view of the many uncertainties surrounding a recent disease and the growing bond between pets and humans, the present study aimed to establish the instruction of prophylactic measures between humans and animals as a way to collaborate with public health, besides evaluating the interaction between humans and animals and the possible benefits in this coexistence, also verifying the possibility of clinical changes in pets of positive guardians and behavioral changes in animals due to changes in routine and coexistence during the pandemic period. For data collection an online questionnaire was applied, later using descriptive statistics methods for data presentation, and applying the Fisher's Exact Test in the variables under comparison. A total of 100 valid responses were obtained from the study population. Although many benefits were perceived by guardians from the presence of animals during isolation, only the presence of more happy moments was significant in this study. In addition, greater feelings of anxiety were found in guardians, probably sustained by feelings of fear and worry during this period. No clinical signs presented by animals during isolation were significantly different between positive and negative guardians, supporting the hypothesis that human-animal transmission is low and many animals are asymptomatic. It was found that 12% of the guardians did not perform prophylactic measures with respect to their pet during isolation. Thus, we established a series of prophylactic measures based on recent recommendations of reference institutions, which were disseminated through digital (informative videos) and physical (banners) media. Furthermore, behavioral changes in pets were noticed by almost 50% of the guardians during the pandemic, alerting mainly to Separation Anxiety Syndrome as a possible consequence.