Can dogs and cats catch coronavirus? Can they transmit the infection to humans?
All these speculations have been laid to rest as a pet dog in Hong Kong has been found “weak positive” with a strain of coronavirus infection.
Humans can infect pets, pets cannot infect humans – Scientists discover
Although, scientists have now confirmed that pet animals can get infected with coronavirus, but they cannot pass it on to humans. A surprising revelation is that – while pet animals can get infected from humans, they cannot infect humans, and this idea puts pet animals at great peril.
At Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, a pet Pomeranian dog was placed under quarantine and then scientists examined his nasal and oral samples to discover that he had “low-level” coronavirus infection.
The dog was placed under examination after his owner was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19.
Scientists from the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences of the City University of Hong Kong and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have unanimously agreed that:
The dog has a low-level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission. But it cannot infect humans and other animals.
Coronavirus did come from bats to other wild mammals, then to humans
Why you should place your pets under quarantine
It is recommended that if any person inside a household is tested to be positive, the dogs and cats of that household should also be placed under quarantine and then checked for possible infection.
Other ways to protect yourself and your pet from coronavirus
If you own a pet, then the most important thing you can do for your pet and for yourself is to practice utmost hygiene and caution.
Wash your hands before and after handling animals. Wear gloves while handling their foods and supplies. Do not kiss the animal and do not let them lick you.
If you feel sick then avoid contact with pets altogether, and consult a vet immediately if your pet shows any signs of bad health.
World Organization for Animal Health has said that there is no reason to hurt or abandon the pet animals, since they cannot infect humans even if they are hosting the virus.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention has said:
There is no reason to think that any animals including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus.
There is only one way dogs and cats can pass the infection to humans
There is only one way the coronavirus can spread to humans via pets – it is when an infected person interacts with the pet, the virus can get into the animal’s fur and skin which can then get transmitted to other humans via touch.
This process is quite similar to the virus spreading through objects of common interaction – such as door knobs, elevator buttons, computer mouse, tap knobs and so on.
Dr. Griscom says:
When people are quarantined, they should also quarantine their pets with them or they should have someone else take care of their pets so that there is no possibility of the virus physically being on the pet and someone else getting it from the pet.
Featured Image Courtesy: Science News
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