Rome / Sputnik: Italy’s Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute (IZSPLV) discovered the British coronavirus variant in a domestic cat from the northern province of Novara, marking the first such case in the country.
According to IZSPLV, the variant was found in an eight-year-old European short-haired male.
The pet started showing symptoms about 10 days after its owners tested positive for COVID-19 and self-isolated at home. The keepers immediately called a veterinary service.
Veterinarians took a swab from the cat and gave it to the IZSPLV, which later discovered the British variant of the virus it contained.
According to the research institute, both the cat and its owner are now “on the way to recovery”.
After the first discovery of the virus variant in a cat, the health authorities of the northern region of Piedmont assured the public that there was no cause for concern as there was no evidence that pets could transmit COVID-19 to humans.
