A first domestic cat has tested positive for Covid-19 in France.
- The animal tested positive showed digestive and respiratory clinical signs
- He was probably contaminated by his sick master Covid-19
- No cases of contamination of humans by domestic animals have been observed.
Pets can also be affected by the coronavirus. As proof, a cat has just tested positive for the new coronavirus for the first time in France after having probably been infected by its owners, announces National Veterinary School of Alfort (ENVA), east of Paris. The latter recommends that sick people apply a distance with their cat. “The joint virology research unit of the National Veterinary School of Alfort (ENVA), the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Anses) and Inrae, in conjunction with the Institut Pasteur, detected the first cat carrying SARS-CoV-2 in France”announced the ENVA.
Not the world’s first case of an infected cat
The researchers conducted tests, with the help of veterinarians in the Paris region, to study whether a dozen cats, whose owners were possibly contaminated, are infected with Covid-19. One of the cats, located “near Paris”, tested positive and exhibited “respiratory and digestive clinical signs”. A piece of news that somewhat surprised ENVA, which indicated that “at this stage of scientific knowledge, it seems that cats are not easily infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus even in contact with infected owners.”
This is not the first time that a cat has contracted the virus, although it remains very rare. “It is not necessarily surprising to find a cat carrying this virus since it has already been described, in Hong Kong (one case), in Belgium (one case) and in New York (two cases) but it remains a rare phenomenon. since even by searching proactively, in a region where SARS-CoV-2 circulates extensively, we have so far only detected one positive animal”specifies Sophie Le Poder, professor of virology at ENVA and co-author of the study.
Take precautions with your pets
This case of an infected cat shows that you have to be careful and take precautions with your pets as well. The School recommends that people who are sick with Covid-19 “to limit close contact with their cat, to wear a mask in its presence and to wash your hands before petting it”. However, and several studies have been launched on the subject, there is no proof that the rare pets infected with the new coronavirus can contaminate humans in return.
Other animals have tested positive for coronavirus. Two dogs have tested positive for coronavirus in Hong Kong. In New York, a tiger from the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for Covid-19. He would have contracted from a guard who then presented no symptoms. “We have tested the feline taking every precaution and we will ensure that any knowledge gained on Covid-19 will contribute to the understanding of this new coronavirus in the world.added the press release dating from early April to AFP. Although their appetites have diminished, the felines at the Bronx Zoo are doing well thanks to veterinary care and are being lively, alert and interactive with their keepers..”
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