There is no scientific evidence that animals can transmit Covid-19. However, precautions should be taken.
- Pets are not, a priori, vectors of the coronavirus
- The Academy of Medicine, however, recalls the precautionary measures to be taken
Pets are not vectors of transmission of Covid-19. In China, at the start of the epidemic, false information on the subject led to many abandonments. “In China, dogs and cats are suddenly becoming innocent victims of this crisis, mainly because people have had false information that a pet has spread the virus”confirms Dr. Peter Li, a specialist in Chinese policies, to franceinfo.
Two dogs tested positive
For now, there is no scientific evidence to show that pets can transmit Covid-19. An affirmation that reassures all owners of dogs, cats or other domestic animals and which goes against the first hypothesis which has led to many abandonments in China. The virus was initially transmitted from animal to human,”then I think the assumption started circulating that all the animals were infected”regrets James Lowe, professor of veterinary medicine, interviewed by Franceinfo.
However, precautions must be taken and pets can be infected. In Hong Kong, two dogs tested positive when their master was himself infected with Covid-19. The first had a very low level of virus before, in a second time, being negative for the test. The second dog is still under surveillance but does not show any clinical signs. “These scientific data suggest that Covid-19 can be transmitted to dogs from the infected owner”admits the Academy of Medicine to 20 minutes. In contrast, “nothing indicates” than dogs”can in turn contaminate” humans or other animals.
Euthanasia to be planned in SPAs
Health safety measures must be followed in order to avoid any risk. The Academy of Medicine recommends owners “to reinforce the usual measures” washing your hands regularly when caring for the animal and not “not let him lick his face”. If the owner is positive for coronavirus or suspects it to be, it is best not to approach his pet.
With containment measures, shelters are concerned that they will not be able to cope with abandonment and that the compartmentalization will lead to the pets they own not being recovered. “For the moment, people are confined, they can’t leave their homes so they can’t come and adopt in our shelters.worries Jacques-Charles Fombonne, president of the Society for the Protection of Animals in 20 minutes. According to the SPA, if the shelters are saturated, this could lead to a wave of euthanasia in the pounds.
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