Domestic cats can also contract a corona infection and transmit the virus to a species of its own. This is the conclusion of a study by scientists from the universities of the Japanese capital Tokyo and the American Wisconsin-Madison.
The scientists published their findings in the journal New England Journal of Medicine. Research shows that cats can get the virus from humans and in turn infect other cats. To achieve results, the researchers administered three samples of virus samples taken from humans to three cats. These were then placed on other non-infected cats, who also tested positive five days later.
No symptoms
According to the researchers, the cats remained positive for five days, but never developed symptoms. Blood tests showed that they developed antibodies for 24 days after the first test.
The scientists conclude that it is recommended to keep domestic cats indoors as they can contract the coronavirus without showing any symptoms. For the time being, there is no evidence that the virus can (once again) spread to humans.
Infected cats in the world
In April, two cats tested positive for Covid-19 in the United States. At least one positive cat is also known in Belgium, France and Hong Kong. According to American media, the coronavirus in the Bronx Zoo in New York also spread from a caretaker to a few tigers and lions.
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