Can Cats Spread Coronavirus? Research Reveals Answer
CATS CAN SPREAD CORONAVIRUS – A recent study revealed that even asymptomatic domesticated cats can spread COVID-19.
Previously, concerns mounted as cats were found able to contract the new coronavirus. Owners feared that their feline companion may spread the disease to them or to others.
However, experts believe that the transfer of the coronavirus from felines to humans is a highly-unlikely possibility. Furthermore, virus expert Peter Halfmann said common sense hygiene is important for those concerned.
He stated that owners shouldn’t kiss their pets and surfaces should be kept clean to flatten the chances of contracting any virus an animal might have.
Although, research conducted at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine showed cats can infected other cats.
According to an article from Inquirer, a sample of coronavirus was taken from a human patient. Afterward, the researchers infected three cats with it. Next, each cat was placed with another cat that had no virus.
Within five days of the experiment, the newly exposed cats were found positive for the virus. But, none of the six cats were found with symptoms of COVID-19.
There was no sneezing, no coughing, they never had a high body temperature or lost any weight.
If a pet owner looked at them, they wouldn’t have noticed anything.
Peter Halfmann
In the previous months, there were reports that big cats such as tigers were even infected with the virus. An asymptomatic zoo-keeper spread the coronavirus to the tigers he was looking after at the Bronx Zoo.
Currently, there is still no evidence that supports the possibility of pets spreading the virus to humans. However, veterinary medicine groups emphasized the importance of hygiene for owners and pets alike.
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