Are you in self-isolation because of Covid-19 and have a cat at home? So know that it is best to ensure that he does not go out on the street. That was the recommendation made this Wednesday by the British Veterinary Association, which recalls that domestic animals can be infected by the new coronavirus – although, to date, there has been no case of a sick or symptom cat, nor evidence of that can transmit the virus to humans.
The alert was made by the Association in a statement, explaining that cats can become fomites – that is, a kind of “objects” that can be contaminated by infectious organisms: “The virus can stay on the skin of cats, in the same way that it can be on other surfaces such as tables or door handles ”, explains the statement.
However, the Association stresses that “owners should not be concerned” about the possibility of being infected by their cats, as “there is no evidence that pets can transmit Covid-19 to people” and suggests only that they be taken “Sensible precautions”, according to the Independent.
There have been cases of dogs and cats that tested positive for Covid-19, “but even in those cases the animals are not getting sick”, reminds the BBC the doctor Angel Almendros. “As in the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003, when some domestic animals were infected but never got sick, there is also now no evidence that dogs or cats can get sick or infect humans.”
Even so, there have been several cases of animals testing positive for the new coronavirus, as was the case with one tiger in a zoo in New York, this week. And, since we are facing a virus that is still something unknown to science, the British Veterinary Association calls for caution.
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