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A domestic cat in Arkansas tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Arkansas Department of Health
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – (Editor’s Note: The photo used is a photo courtesy of Getty Images and is not an actual photo of the cat.)
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, a domestic cat in central Arkansas was infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
A neighborhood practice veterinarian decided to test the cat for SARS-CoV-2 after seeing “unusual signs of illness” and learning that the pet’s owner had COVID-19, according to the health department.
Veterinary clinical support staff wore personal contact equipment when in contact with the owner and when handling the cat to prevent possible spread of the virus.
The vet reported that the 9 month old cat appeared to be healthy and healthy again at this point.
This reported animal is the first confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Arkansas, but not the first in the United States. At present, testing animals that show no unusual signs of disease is neither justified nor recommended.
The US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, the Arkansas Department of Health, and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture are partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide information to the Arkansas public.
One Health is an organized multi-disciplinary effort to work together to create optimal health solutions for people, animals and their environment.
According to official information, the risk of pets transmitting COVID-19 to humans is classified as “low”.
We will update this article with more information as it becomes available to us.
