Two cats have tested positive for the coronavirus in two separate
areas of New York. The good news is that both cats suffered only with mild respiratory
symptoms and they are expected to recovery fully from the virus. The recent cat
infections (announced by the US Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 23, 2020) follows seven lions and tigers that
all tested positive for coronavirus at the Bronx zoo.
What Does this Mean for Cats?
One of the cats tested positive after its owner also tested
positive. The cat was tested as it began to show respiratory symptoms. These
two recent cases are the first known in the US. The Centres for Disease Control
and Prevention are recommended that all pet owners should stop their pets from
interacting with people and animals outside their home. This is also echoed
around the world, with limiting contact and ensuring that you try to avoid
contact with pets when experiencing covid-19 symptoms or tested positive for
the virus.
Scientists researching pets and the transmission of the coronavirus
to humans still say that transmission from pets to humans are still very
unlikely. Therefore, there is no need to stop allowing your pets inside the
home or getting rid of animals out of concerns of catching the virus from them.
None of the cats that have contracted the virus have experienced serious illness
or died. This is of great interest to scientists who are now working to discover
why that might be. All information gain from the investigations will help to
provide further knowledge about the virus, how it works and could contribute to
providing clues on how we can fight it in humans.
Very little information has been shared on the two cats in
New York, but you can read more by visiting https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/22/coronavirus-cats-pets-infected-new-york
Share Your Lockdown Buddies
Our pets provide great stress relief and provide us with
smiles every day during lockdown. We would love you to share photos of your
pets and hear your stories. How are your cats keeping you smiling during this
difficult time? Are they stopping you from working? Helping with home-schooling
or just making you laugh. Share your tales with us over on the ProtectaPet Facebook page or tag @ProtectaPet on Instagram.
