A cat in Belgium has become the world ’s first feline to test electropositive for SARS - CoV-2 , the computer virus responsible for the respiratory disease COVID-19 , after expert warn it in all likelihood became infected by its possessor .
A week after hark back from Italy , the cat ’s owner showed symptoms of diarrhea , vomiting , cough , and shallow breathing and tested confirming for COVID-19 contagion . Viral RNA taken from the feline ’s stool and vomit find the presence of the virus after the feline exhibited symptom of digestive and respiratory disease . So far , the Arabian tea is the third known causa of a favorite becoming taint by a homo . Two dogs in Hong Kongalso tested prescribed for the virus to begin with this month but testify no disease symptoms .
Although these composition present a potential Modern modality of computer virus transmittal , they do not hint that pets posture a risk of infection to their possessor , fit in to a press release issued by Belgium’sFederal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain .
“ There is no evidence to date that the computer virus is being broadcast to humans or other ducky , ” write the government agency . “ Although it is suspect that the computer virus causing COVID-19 in humans originally came fromwild animals , it has since adapted to humans . ”
In all three casing , it is most likely the brute became infect by their owner and not the other means around . Though the peril is considered down in the mouth , experts say the concern now is whether an animal may be infected by a person and then become a mailman . Even if that is the case , the citizens committee sum up that it considers such a risk trifling compared to the risk of person - to - person transmittance .
In the midst of all of this , it is important to maintain the animal ’s well - being . Experts recommend the great unwashed continue to do right hygiene etiquette and to avoid liaison with pets , especially when feel ill . These measures are to foreclose the person from conduct the computer virus to their pet and having them become the letter carrier .
preferent animals should also be keep away from infected multitude as much as possible . Testing standard should be prioritized for human use , and if an animal is suspected to be sick , then pet owners are advised to contact their veterinarian . Because both blackguard and the big cat appear to be largely untouched by the viral contagion , it is believe that pets will convalesce and do not demand to be euthanized .
[ H / T : The Brussels Times ]
