Dear Editor,

The effect of COVID‐19 outbreak on veterinary service provision has been unprecedented. The adjustment of service provision to the crisis has been unavoidable.1 The effect of COVID‐19 pandemic on veterinary practice has not been yet well described in the literature. Regarding COVID‐19 in animals, there is sparse evidence of possible infections in companion animals such as cats.2, 3 Nevertheless, there is still no confirmation that zoonosis is contributing to pandemic in people. The typical close proximity found in veterinary hospitals and the close contact between pet owners visiting veterinary clinics are important issues for disease control during COVID‐19 pandemic. Standard infection control and universal prevention measures are necessary in every veterinary setting during the COVID‐19 pandemic. An important consideration is the possibility of zoonotic transmission.4

The different responses by veterinary centers across the world are likely different. Here, I would like to share data on the situation from Indochina. At present, Indochina is still a hot foci for the COVID‐19 pandemic. In this region, there is still no report on any study regarding COVID‐19 infection in animals. Presently, the presence of COVID‐19 infection among veterinary practitioners in this area has not been documented. Nevertheless, in many countries in Indochina such as Thailand, the closure of veterinary clinics is the prevailing local preventive measurement for containment of COVID‐19. In Singapore and Malaysia, similar preventive actions are also being employed. Additionally, local legal control authorities have prohibited pet salon activities during lockdowns.5

During lockdowns, clients and pets were only attended veterinary practices by consent and thermoscanning of pets and pet owners at the veterinary care centers were implemented. Nevertheless, there is still no veterinary care center in Indochina that has facility to test for COVID‐19 in animals.

The closure of veterinary practices during COVID‐19 may be a component for disease control. However, there is still no evidence that veterinarian care activity contributes to disease spreading. Veterinary practice closure might affect other important animal related diseases in the region. Indeed, the COVID‐19 control measures might result in other animal health problems.6 A serious consideration should be given to diseases that can affect both animal and human health. For example, as a tropical zone, rabies is very common in Indochina. The closure of veterinary clinics likely impact rabies control measures. Whether there is any association between veterinary care service closure due to COVID‐19 outbreak and incidence of rabies merits close monitoring and further study.

亲爱的编辑，

COVID-19 爆发对兽医服务提供的影响是前所未有的。针对危机对服务提供的调整是不可避免的。1 COVID-19 大流行对兽医实践的影响尚未在文献中得到很好的描述。关于动物中的 COVID-19，很少有证据表明猫等伴侣动物可能感染。2, 3然而，仍然没有证实人畜共患病是导致人类大流行的原因。兽医医院中典型的近距离接触以及宠物主人访问兽医诊所的密切接触是 COVID-19 大流行期间疾病控制的重要问题。在 COVID-19 大流行期间，每个兽医机构都需要标准的感染控制和普遍的预防措施。一个重要的考虑因素是人畜共患病传播的可能性。4

世界各地兽医中心的不同反应可能是不同的。在这里，我想分享有关印度支那局势的数据。目前，印度支那仍然是 COVID-19 大流行的热点地区。在该地区，仍然没有关于动物感染 COVID-19 的任何研究报告。目前，尚未记录该地区兽医从业人员中存在 COVID-19 感染。然而，在泰国等印度支那的许多国家，关闭兽医诊所是当地流行的遏制 COVID-19 的预防措施。在新加坡和马来西亚，也采取了类似的预防措施。此外，当地法律控制机构已禁止在封锁期间开展宠物沙龙活动。5

在封锁期间，客户和宠物只有在同意的情况下才能参加兽医诊所，并对兽医护理中心的宠物和宠物主人进行热扫描。尽管如此，印度支那仍然没有兽医护理中心可以检测动物中的 COVID-19。

在 COVID-19 期间关闭兽医诊所可能是疾病控制的一个组成部分。然而，仍然没有证据表明兽医护理活动会导致疾病传播。兽医诊所关闭可能会影响该地区其他重要的动物相关疾病。事实上，COVID-19 控制措施可能会导致其他动物健康问题。6应认真考虑可能影响动物和人类健康的疾病。例如，作为热带地区，狂犬病在印度支那非常普遍。关闭兽医诊所可能会影响狂犬病控制措施。由于 COVID-19 爆发而导致的兽医护理服务关闭与狂犬病发病率之间是否存在任何关联，值得密切监测和进一步研究。