COVID-19 and Pets

The spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to make the news with new cases in the human population being reported on a daily basis.

The Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) recently announced that a pet dog of a COVID-19 infected patient has tested ‘weak positive’ for the virus however, further tests are currently being carried out to determine if it is a true infection or if it is due to environmental contamination of its mouth and nose. In a statement, AFCD said that the dog had not shown any symptoms and there was no evidence to suggest that pets could contract the coronavirus or be a source of infection in people. Further information is available here.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already issued advice stating there is no evidence that companion animals such as dogs and cats can be infected with COVID-19.