In response to the growing concern caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 variant strain, FAO has prepared this document to raise awareness amongst livestock professionals about highly susceptible captive farmed wild or domestic species and provide practical guidelines on how to prevent infecting animals or getting infected.

This document is designed to provide information for communications with livestock professionals (including farmers, producers, veterinarians, paraveterinarians, community animal health workers). It is recommended to use this information to provide practical guidance on how to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19), spreading between humans and animals in a farm setting, given that some animal species have shown to be susceptible to the virus.

The document also provides information regarding animal susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 is based on the available evidence as of 8 January 2021. The document further recognises the importance for livestock professionals to be made aware of this information and thus provides the recommended measures to protect humans and animals in farm settings, and the steps to take if infection is suspected.