Pet dog infected with COVID-19, HK authorities confirm first case of human-to-animal transmission

The Pomeranian which repeatedly tested weak positive picked up the virus through surface contamination including nose and mouth. The dog has now been quarantined with the local Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further testing.

Hong Kong: Health authorities have confirmed that a pet dog belonging to a coronavirus affected patient had contracted the virus. Experts called it a low-level infection that was likely to be the first reported case of human-to-animal transmission of the disease.

The Pomeranian which repeatedly tested weak positive since last Friday - picked up the virus through surface contamination including nose and mouth.

The dog has now been quarantined with the local Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation for further testing.

In its statement later, the department said experts from the University of Hong Kong, City University and the World Organisation for Animal Health had been consulted and all unanimously agreed that these results suggest that the dog has a low level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission.

"It is positive to test and has been infected, so it is now quarantined in a centre by the department. Further tests will be conducted and it will not be released until the tests return negative results," was all health minister Sophia Chan Siu-chee said during a regular press briefing on the coronavirus crisis in the city.

The government said a second dog was also under quarantine, along with the Pomeranian, but it had tested negative for the coronavirus.

The owner of the Pomeranian is a 60-year-old woman who was confirmed to be infected and hospitalised on February 25.

However, Pet cats and dogs cannot pass the new coronavirus on to humans, but they can test positive for low levels of the pathogen if they catch it from their owners.

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An unidentified spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said, "There is currently no evidence that pet animals can be a source of infection of COVID-19 or that they become sick."

Scientists suspect the virus known as SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease originated in bats before passing it on to another species, possibly a small wild mammal, that passed it on to humans.

Experts from the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences of the City University of Hong Kong and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have unanimously agreed that the dog has a low level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission.

The department suggested any pets, including dogs and cats, from households where someone has tested positive for the virus should be put into quarantine.

In general, pet owners should maintain good hygiene including washing hands before and after handling animals, their food and supplies and no kissing them. People who are sick should avoid contact with pets and a veterinarian's advice should be sought if changes in a pet's health conditions are detected.

"Apart from maintaining good hygiene practices, pet owners need not be overly concerned and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets," the spokesman said.

(With inputs from ANI)