New research has shown that cats can easily become infected with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This is not noticeable in the animals, because they show no signs of Covid 19 disease. You can probably pass the virus on to other cats.
SARS-CoV-2 can affect cats
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine found in laboratory experiments that cats can easily become infected with the novel corona virus. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 apparently also spreads among cats. The study results were recently presented in the English-language journal “New England Journal of Medicine”.
Research details
The scientists infected three cats with SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory. The pathogens were previously isolated from a human patient. They then put an infected and an uninfected animal together in a cage. A day later, the research group was able to detect the virus in the nasal passages in two of the previously healthy animals. Three days later, SARS-CoV-2 was present in all cats, but within six days the animals were virus free again. The cats never showed any symptoms. According to research director Yoshihiro Kawaoka, this was an important finding.
According to the study results, cats can become infected with the virus if they run into infected people or other cats. The investigation thus confirms research that has recently appeared in the journal Science. This also showed that cats and ferrets are infected with the novel corona virus and may be able to spread it further.
Everyone should know these facts about the new corona virus:
Limit contact with cats
In any case, the authors of the study should consider the possibility of an infection. Contact with the animals should be avoided, especially in domestic quarantine, if cat owners develop symptoms that indicate Covid-19. If cat owners are quarantined, the animal should not leave the house during this time.
There is currently no evidence or documented case in which the virus has spread from cats to humans. The greatest risk of infection is still contact with other people. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, estimates the risk of the cat being infected by its owner with SARS-CoV-2 many times higher than the other way around. According to the animal expert, it is harmless to pet or play with cats as long as you have not tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. If this is the case, you should reduce contact with the pet to the bare minimum. As part of this, pet owners should always have a supply of food, animal feed, litter and possibly medication at home that is sufficient for two weeks in an emergency.
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