First Pet Tests Positive For The Coronavirus

There is no doubt that fear from the overly hyped Coronavirus has spread around the globe like wildfire, leaving many people on edge.

So much so that thousands of cats and dogs have met terrifying deaths, thrown from high rise buildings in China, due to the mistaken belief they are also spreading the coronavirus.

I say “overly hyped” because, yes, the virus is a threat, leaving thousands ill, and killing many. Everyone should take precautions to prevent infection. However, far more people die from the flu epidemic that comes around year after year.

Now collective global jitters are going to only get worse as Hong Kong authorities revealed a dog has been tested as “weak positive” for the disease. The poor animal belongs to a coronavirus patient, and low levels of the virus were found in the pooches nose and mouth. Needless to say, he has been placed in quarantine.

Related Reading:

–Cat is spotted wearing a human face mask to protect it from the Coronavirus.

Though this sounds scary, please bear in mind the dog is not ill. He is not infected with the virus, and cats and dogs can not infect humans. Both the CDC and World Organisation for Animal Health have confirmed this. The dog probably picked up the virus from his owner, much as a sick patient would leave germs on a cell phone, door handle or countertop for someone else to possibly pick up.

“That doesn’t say the animal is sufficiently infected that it can spread the virus,” veterinarian Raymond R.R. Rowland told the New York Times. According to Rowland, who studies swine flu, people occasionally infect animals, but the scenario rarely plays out in reverse.

“Usually, in those situations, you have an initial infection and it doesn’t go anywhere else,” another veterinary professor, Edward Dubovi, agreed.

Even so, pet owners should strive to limit transmitting the virus as much as possible, said Dubovi, who suggests wearing a mask, washing your hands, and limiting contact — just like you would with other family members. (Fido probably won’t understand why you’re not petting him as much as usual, but try to be strong!)

This could also mean placing your pet in quarantine in the event you do get sick, which is where Hong Kong’s furry patient will stay until the virus clears his system. Even so, local authorities urge pet owners not to worry about being infected by their companion animals, because there is absolutely no evidence to suggest this will happen.

“Apart from maintaining good hygiene practices, pet owners need not be overly concerned and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets,” they said.

For more details please go to familypet.com.

20 Minutes After Dropping Him Off At The Shelter He Broke Out! Crossing Highways And Byways, He Had One Goal In Mind, Finding Her.

Please SHARE this important news with all your cat and dog-loving friends and family. Pets do not spread the virus to us, humans!