New research suggests that humans transmitted SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to cats during the UK pandemic. The study, published in Veterinary Record, last year found the virus in cats who developed a mild or severe respiratory disease.
The researchers used a range of laboratory techniques to show that two domestic cats from households suspected of having COVID-19 were infected with SARS-CoV-2.
“These results show that human-to-cat transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, with the infected cats having mild or severe respiratory disease. Given the coronavirus’ ability to infect pets, Monitoring human-to-cat, cat-to-cat and cat-to-human transmission will be important, “said senior author Margaret Hosie, PhD, of the Center for Virus Research at MRC University of Glasgow.
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