“If the owner gets caught… Pets are also more likely to be infected with COVID-19

Although there are not many cases after the case of a dog being kept as a pet being infected with the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in April 2020, cases of COVID-19 infection from humans to animals have been reported. In an unexamined research paper published by ECCMID, it was reported that pets, cats and dogs, are more likely to become infected with the COVID-19 virus if pet owners develop COVID-19 infection.

A research team at the University of Guelph in Canada conducted a PCR test on 75 dogs and cats protected at animal shelters, including 48 cats and 54 dogs raised in 77 households whose owners had COVID-19 in the past, and 75 cats diagnosed at a veterinary hospital. did. The owners were also asked if the pet was petted, kissed, or slept in the bed with the pet.

As a result of the test, 32 cats (67% of feral cats) and 23 dogs (43% of domestic dogs) were positive for COVID-19. On the other hand, three animals and two cats tested positive in the animal shelter dogs and cats, and the pet with the owner infected with Corona 19 was infected with the Corona 19 virus with a fairly high probability. In addition, 13 of the stray cats showed symptoms such as runny nose, and 3 of them showed symptoms such as severe and 11 of the feral dogs showed symptoms such as anorexia or cough, but all of them were mild and immediately improved.

The researchers found that while the time spent together did not appear to affect the infection, the longer the time spent between the owner and the cat, the higher the risk of infection. It is reported that the infection rate of cats sleeping in the owner’s bed was high.

The researchers added that the most likely high rate of infection in pets than in cats and shelter animals means that the high route of infection is animal infection in humans and not vice versa. Cats are more likely to sleep near their owner’s face than dogs and are more susceptible to infection.

In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that some pets, including cats and dogs, are reported to be infected with the Corona 19 virus. They are calling for isolation from other animals. Related information can be found here.