Men could transmit Covid-19 to cats, according to a study by researchers at the University of Glasgow.
Humans could transmit Covid-19 to cats. In any case, this is the conclusion of research carried out by scientists from the University of Glasgow. The latter discovered two cases of transmission of the virus as part of a screening program for the feline population in the United Kingdom, as reported The Guardian. Their study was published in the journal Veterinary Record. According to their observations, the cats, of different breeds, lived in separate households and showed signs of respiratory problems that ranged from mild to severe. The researchers believe that the two animals were infected by their owners, who showed symptoms of Covid-19 before the cats in turn felt sick.
No evidence of cat-to-human transmission according to study
One of them, a four-month-old female kitten whose owner developed symptoms of the coronavirus at the end of March 2020, although he had not been tested, had to be euthanized. The kitten had been taken to a veterinarian due to breathing difficulties and her condition deteriorated. Post-mortem lung samples revealed damage consistent with viral pneumonia and there was evidence of Covid-19 infection. The second cat is a six-year-old Siamese female, whose owner has tested positive for Covid-19. The cat was taken to the vet. She suffered from a runny nose and conjunctivitis, but her symptoms remained mild and she eventually recovered. Coronavirus infection was subsequently confirmed.
The study specifies, however, that there is no evidence of cat-to-human transmission or that cats, dogs or other pets play a notable role in human infections with Covid-19.
But scientists said pets could act as a “viral reservoir,” allowing continued transmission of the virus, and said it was important to improve understanding of the ability of pets to play a role in the virus. infection of humans.
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