The author of a Dutch study said that if you think you are infected with Covid-19, it is best to stay away from your pets. The study found that the number of dogs and cats that may be infected is surprising.
“About one in five pets will get this disease from their owner,” said Dr. Els Broens of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, although there are no known cases of the disease from pets to humans.
“Fortunately, the animals did not get sick.”
In a paper published this week at the European Congress of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Browns’ research conducted a study on 156 dogs and 154 cats from 196 families in families where humans are known to be infected with the coronavirus. test.
Approximately 17% of animals (31 cats and 23 dogs) have Covid-19 antibodies, indicating that they have been infected.
In addition, as shown by PCR tests, 6 cats and 7 dogs (4.2% of all animals) had active infections.
Broens said that subsequent tests showed that these animals recovered quickly and did not spread to other pets in the same family.
COVID-19 is believed to have originated in bats. Since the first few months of the pandemic, people have known that non-human mammals can be infected, but few people will get serious illnesses.
It is known that only minks are infected by humans and then spread the disease to other people.
Browns said the owner’s feelings for their cats and dogs may play a role in the high infection rate of pets.
She said: “Many pet owners have very close contact, just like they sleep in a bed with their pets, so you can imagine close contact so that transmission can occur.”
