Two cats in New York have been infected with the novel coronavirus, according to federal officials who made the announcement today.
Both cats had mild respiratory symptoms and are expected to make a full recovery, according to CNN.
“These are the first pets in the United States to test positive,” the US Department of Agriculture said Wednesday in a joint statement with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Officials emphasized that there is no evidence pets play a role in the spreading of the coronavirus in the United States. “There is no justification in taking measures against companion animals that may compromise their welfare,” they said.
The two cats were tested after they showed respiratory symptoms, according to the agencies. The two cats join a lion and a tiger in New York who were previously confirmed to be infected.
A veterinarian tested the first house cat after it showed mild respiratory signs, but the odd thing is, none of the humans in the cat’s household were confirmed to have the virus.
It’s possible, officials said, that the cat was infected by somebody outside the home. It’s also possible that someone inside the house, with mild or no symptoms could have transmitted the virus to the cat.
The second cat, which lives in a separate area of New York, was also tested after it showed signs of respiratory illness. However, in this case, the owner of that cat tested positive for Covid-19 before the cat became ill, but another cat in the household has shown no signs of illness.
Officials are still trying to understand how coronavirus affects pets, but the CDC is recommending that people limit interactions between their pets and people or animals outside the household.
Cats should be kept indoors when possible, according to the CDC, and dogs should be walked on a leash while maintaining at least six feet from other people and animals.
The agency also said dogs should also avoid public places where a large number of people and animals gather, such as dog parks.
If someone is ill with Covid-19 — whether suspected or confirmed — officials recommend having another member of the household look after the pets and if that’s not possible, people should wear cloth face coverings around animals, making sure to wash their hands before and after any interactions.
When people are sick, officials urge people to refrain from petting or snuggling their pets — and avoid being kissed or licked.
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