Can you transfer COVID-19 to your pets?
by Francine Dash
March 2020
WE ARE LEARNING ANEW EACH DAY AS TO HOW PERVASIVE COVID-19 CAN BE.
A zookeeper who was caring for tigers at the Bronx Zoo in New York City has apparently passed on the COVID-19 virus to one of the tigers in the big cat exhibit named, Nadia. Now, six additional tigers have been confirmed to be infected with covid-19.
“If you asked me a week ago if this was even possible, I would have said no,” says Kimberly Powell, registered nurse and lawyer working to promote the needs of front-line medical workers. “What people have to realize is that this virus is unlike what we have seen before and we are learning everyday how to combat it.”
While this is the first report of human to animal transmission in the United States, there have been reports outside the U.S. of other animals, pet dogs and cats, becoming infected after contact with their contagious owners. In Hong Kong, agriculture authorities concluded that pet dogs and cats couldn’t pass the virus to human beings but could test positive if exposed by their owners. (This has not been confirmed by the CDC.)
“We just don’t know enough yet and I would err on the side of caution regarding any conclusive findings,” says Dr. Joshua Scantland, vascular and interventional radiology Resident and Medical Officer in the Indiana Medical Detachment of the Indiana Army Reserve National Guard. “If anyone has concerns certainly use the recommendations of the CDC and health professionals regarding hygiene and social distancing.”
The seven sickened cats, who now live in two separate areas at the Bronx Zoo, had contact with the same worker, zoo officials said. Currently, there are no signs of illness in other big cats on the property. Zoo officials also state that staffers have worn protective coverings for years and will continue to do so. There was no confirmation as to whether the zookeeper in question was wearing such equipment.
If you have pet cats or dogs and have questions as to what you can do to protect them, please visit the Center for Disease Control’s website at http://cdc.gov; or email this@pointcast.news for follow-up questions.