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Renew Deal

(81,855 posts)
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 02:08 AM Feb 2020

Can Covid-19 spread via beef consumption?

The WHO website says that "thoroughly cooking meat and eggs" helps limit the spread.

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

The US Dept. of Labor site says:

What is a Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illness in people. Coronaviruses circulate among animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats.


https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/medicalinformation.html

Answer from the WHO:

Can I catch Covid-19 from my pet?

No. There is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as cats and dogs have been infected or could spread the virus that causes COVID-19.

Can humans become infected with Covid-19 from an animal source?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in animals. Rarely, people get infected with these viruses which may then spread to other people. For example, SARS-CoV was associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by dromedary camels. Possible animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed.

To protect yourself, such as when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct contact with animals and surfaces in contact with animals. Ensure good food safety practices at all times. Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products.
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Can Covid-19 spread via beef consumption? (Original Post) Renew Deal Feb 2020 OP
Sadly, they probably mean things like pangolins. herding cats Feb 2020 #1
I found an answer at the WHO Renew Deal Feb 2020 #3
The things we learn, right? herding cats Feb 2020 #6
For me, that just says they don't yet know. KY_EnviroGuy Feb 2020 #11
The common cold is a coronavirus ... mr_lebowski Feb 2020 #2
4 versions of the common cold like virus are coronaviruses. Not all. herding cats Feb 2020 #10
Good stuff, thanks for adding clarity (nt) mr_lebowski Feb 2020 #12
There's some possibility our immunity to these coronaviruses may help us herding cats Feb 2020 #16
If there's a serious outbreak, I would worry more about.... KY_EnviroGuy Feb 2020 #14
How about organic road kill? safeinOhio Feb 2020 #4
You're safe in Ohio Renew Deal Feb 2020 #5
Oh crap, moved out a couple of years ago. safeinOhio Feb 2020 #7
Not if it's a Wolverine. Captain Zero Feb 2020 #8
It's a Spartan. safeinOhio Feb 2020 #9
Old Dem country rule: never eat Republican roadkill. KY_EnviroGuy Feb 2020 #13
I hear it taste safeinOhio Feb 2020 #15

herding cats

(19,564 posts)
1. Sadly, they probably mean things like pangolins.
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 02:11 AM
Feb 2020

Which kind of crushes my soul to even type.

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) doesn't exist in beef.

Renew Deal

(81,855 posts)
3. I found an answer at the WHO
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 02:19 AM
Feb 2020

It's currently not an issue. Not sure why the US Gov't wrote that the way they did.

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

Can I catch Covid-19 from my pet?

No. There is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as cats and dogs have been infected or could spread the virus that causes COVID-19.

Can humans become infected with Covid-19 from an animal source?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in animals. Rarely, people get infected with these viruses which may then spread to other people. For example, SARS-CoV was associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by dromedary camels. Possible animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed.

To protect yourself, such as when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct contact with animals and surfaces in contact with animals. Ensure good food safety practices at all times. Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products.

herding cats

(19,564 posts)
6. The things we learn, right?
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 02:28 AM
Feb 2020

Don't french kiss a camel because MERS (while true, it's a dark joke). Also, don't hang out in icky live animal markets where they slaughterer per order endangered species.

Your linked resource is excellent! Thank you.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,490 posts)
11. For me, that just says they don't yet know.
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 02:41 AM
Feb 2020

We already know humans can be carriers without showing symptoms or getting sick, so why not suspect the same of animals?

I really doubt if the WHO has scientific proof that it does not happen in pets or farm animals because it takes extensive testing to make that claim. WHO has been totally occupied in dealing with the human tragedy.

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
2. The common cold is a coronavirus ...
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 02:17 AM
Feb 2020

These are probably all Trump's people in the Dept of Labor now, I wouldn't pay much attention to what they have to say.

The WHO is saying 'meat' in general ... worldwide, that can mean just about any critter.

I've not heard of any of our commonly eaten animals getting COVID-19 but I'm not an expert.

If the CDC issues warnings to this effect, I'll worry about cooking my beef to 'well' ...

herding cats

(19,564 posts)
10. 4 versions of the common cold like virus are coronaviruses. Not all.
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 02:36 AM
Feb 2020

I'm, not nitpicking, but there's also rhinovirus (most common) and RSV (in children under 2).

herding cats

(19,564 posts)
16. There's some possibility our immunity to these coronaviruses may help us
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 03:16 AM
Feb 2020

Zero documentation, it's way too early for such, but it's being discussed if we've had one in the past some years, it may help us with this novel virus. Kind of like how a flu shot helps us even if it missed the strain, to extremely over simplify the topic.

No one knows for sure yet, but it's a nice thought.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,490 posts)
14. If there's a serious outbreak, I would worry more about....
Thu Feb 27, 2020, 02:51 AM
Feb 2020

processed fresh meat being contaminated with virus from the packing house workers, most of which are poor and can't afford to take off work and isolate.

Just like bacteria, I suspect viruses could live quite some time if placed in say, fresh chilled ground beef......

As you said, make sure it's well cooked to kill all bugs, but also use extra care while handling.

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