Coronavirus Jumps Species: First Known Case Of Human-To-Animal Transmission Reported

KEY POINTS

Last week a Pomeranian dog’s owner was hospitalized due to COVID-19 illness and was quarantined
The dog was tested on February 26 who tested positive now with low levels of infection
Experts urge pet owners to follow good hygiene practices and stop kissing their pets

With the surge in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths and the discovery of new strains of coronavirus species, experts have now confirmed the first known case of human-to-animal transmission. A Pomeranian dog in Hong Kong was reported to be infected with low levels of COVID-19.

A week ago, the dog’s human companion aged 60 were hospitalized with the illness and was quarantined after nasal and oral samples tested ‘weak positive’ for coronavirus. This has sparked much skepticism from experts globally who opined that it was unlikely that the disease could jump species so quickly.

The local authorities have announced that all pets whose owners tested positive for COVID-19 should be quarantined.

The dog was first tested on February 26 and, now, after three consecutive tests, the dog has been found to have low levels of infection.

“Experts from the University of Hong Kong and the World Organization for Animal Health have unanimously agreed that this is a case of human-to-animal transmission," Telegraph quoted a spokesman for Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. “Apart from maintaining good hygiene practices, pet owners need not be overly concerned and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets,” he added.

The Pomeranian hasn’t exhibited any signs of disease and the Hong Kong authorities also haven’t explained why it was tested in the first place. Another dog that is currently being quarantined at the department’s animal holding center has tested negative for COVID-19.

The department will continue to monitor the dog and be returned to its owner only after it tests negative for COVID-19. The government said there isn’t any evidence that pets can spread the virus to their owners or that they can be infected.

Several pets have been stuck starving in their homes during the coronavirus outbreak since the owners weren’t able to return to look after them when their cities were locked down.

Pet owners in Hong Kong have been urged to adopt good hygiene practices such as hand washing before and, after handling pet animals, their food or supplies and to avoid kissing them.