Detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in pets living with COVID‐19 owners diagnosed during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Spain: A case of an asymptomatic cat with SARS‐CoV‐2 in Europe
Ignacio Ruiz‐Arrondo, Aránzazu Portillo, Ana M. Palomar, Sonia Santibáñez, Paula Santibáñez, Cristina Cervera‐Acedo, José A. Oteo
Abstract
Pets from COVID-19 owners were screened for SARS-CoV-2 (April-May 2020). From 23 pets, an asymptomatic cat showed positive RT-qPCRs results from oropharyngeal swab (negative rectal swab). Remaining pets were negative. This suggests that cats can contract the virus from their infected owners and may act as potential hosts for SARS-CoV-2. Their role in carrying live or infectious viruses and disseminating them needs more investigation.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Asymptomatic2019-20 coronavirus outbreakVirologyCoronavirusCATSPandemicQuarantineSars virusMedicineVeterinary medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakInternal medicinePathologyDiseaseSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchSARS-CoV-2 detection and testingAnimal Virus Infections Studies