Scientists in India found that of all groups in the primate species, baboons are the only group that is least vulnerable to the new coronavirus.
A research team consisted of researchers from India’s National Institute of Animal Biotechnolog, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research conducted an analysis on Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a receptor on cells which the coronavirus enters the body from, of 48 animals and predicted the tendency of each animal to spread the virus using computer modelling.
The result shows all primates including humans, but with the exception of baboons, had about 100% probability to be infected by the deadly virus.
Photo source: The Chronicle
It appears that different species of animal has different level of susceptibility to the new coronavirus.
Few months ago, Hong Kong and New York had reported cases of dogs and tigers being infected with the coronavirus. The World Organization for Animal Health has also mentioned that cats are most prone to catching and spreading coronavirus among all the animals. And dogs are considered vulnerable to the virus as well.
Source: South China Morning Post, See Hua Daily News
Cover photo: Live Science || NPR
