Scientists at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, identified two cases in which cats were infected by their owners who showed symptoms of Covid-19, during a population examination program in the United Kingdom.
The newspaper stated that cats of different breeds live in separate homes and have mild to severe respiratory symptoms. “Watchman”. Researchers believe that the two domestic animals were infected by their owners, who had symptoms of Covid-19 before the feline fell ill.
The study was published in the academic journal Veterinary record, States that there is no evidence of cat-to-human transmission or that cats, dogs, or other pets play any relevant role in the epidemiology of human infection by covid-19. However, scientists believe that pets can act as a “viral reservoir”, allowing for continuous transmission, and they say it is important to understand whether pets can play a role in human infection.
“These two cases of human-to-animal transmission that were found in the cat group in the United Kingdom illustrate why it is important to improve our understanding of animal SARS-CoV-2 infection,” said Professor Margaret Hoose, from the Research Center. At the University of Glasgow and lead author of the study.
“Currently, animal-to-human transmission poses a relatively low risk to public health in areas where human-to-human transmission remains high. However, as human-to-human cases decrease, the likelihood of animal-to-human transmission increases. Animal A potential source of re-introduction of Sars-CoV-2 into humans, “the researcher added, noting that” it is important to improve our understanding of whether exposed animals can play a role in transmission. “
The center’s researchers worked in partnership with the Veterinary Diagnostic Service (VDS) of the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The first cat was a four-month-old Ragdoll female from a family whose owner developed symptoms consistent with Sars-CoV-2 infection in late March 2020, although she has not been tested.
The cat was taken to the vet with breathing difficulties in April 2020, but the health condition deteriorated and it had to be slaughtered. Postmortem lung samples revealed damage consistent with viral pneumonia and there was evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The second cat was a six-year-old Siamese female from a house whose owner had tested positive for COVID-19. The cat was taken to the vet with a discharge from the nose and conjunctivitis, but the symptoms remained mild and the animal was able to recover.
Covid-19 infection was confirmed in a retrospective survey of swabs exposed to VDS between March and July 2020 for routine testing of pathogens.
Scientists believe that the two cases are unlikely to reflect true frequency of transmission between humans and animals, since animal experiments are limited.
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