Three cats infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 spread the virus to three other cats in a lab study published in The New England Journal of Medicine by a research team working in Tokyo, Japan, and Wisconsin, USA.
The research team emphasizes that there is no evidence of the COVID-19 virus transmitting from cats to humans.
Researchers state that it is much more likely that humans are giving the virus to their pets, rather than pets causing humans to become sick.
The research team infected three cats with large doses of the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, directly into both eyes, both nostrils, the mouth and the trachea (windpipe). The infected cats were housed in pairs with uninfected cats, sharing the same space, food, water and air. Within five days, the uninfected cats tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs.
After their first positive test, all cats continued to test positive for about five days, meaning the cats were likely infectious - able to spread the virus to others - for about five days.
Blood tests showed that the cats produced antibodies, molecules that the immune system uses to eliminate current infections and prevent future re-infection, for 24 days after first becoming infected, the longest time included in the study.
None of the cats used in the research study showed any symptoms at any time. All six cats maintained normal body temperature, weight and behavior throughout the experiment.
The United States Department of Agriculture reported in early April that lions and tigers at the Bronx Zoo in New York cared for by a zookeeper who later tested positive for COVID-19 also showed symptoms of respiratory illness. The one animal that was tested was indeed positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers state that the evidence that humans can spread the virus to cats and that cats can spread the virus to other cats demonstrates a strong need to understand more details about pets' potential role in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research team notes that using simple hygiene precautions, like washing your hands and avoiding obviously ill animals, is necessary to protect the health of both humans and animals at the same time.
Global experts' advice for staying healthy with pets
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has recommended the following precautions to prevent infection when interacting with animals:
- Avoid excessive contact with animals to prevent animal-borne infections.
- Wash hands well after contact with animals and use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Avoid unnecessary contact as much as possible, especially if your pet is not feeling well.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both recommend using standard hygiene practices when caring for pets during the COVID-19 pandemic, including washing your hands before and after touching your pet or your pet's food and resisting the urge to kiss your pet or let your pet lick you.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health, if people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 cannot have another member of their household care for their pets, they should maintain good hygiene practices and wear a face mask to avoid giving the virus to their pet. As much as possible, pets belonging to people infected with SARS-CoV-2 should be kept indoors and contact with those pets should be avoided.
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Research Article
Peter J. Halfmann, Masato Hatta, Shiho Chiba, Tadashi Maemura, Shufang Fan, Makoto Takeda, Noriko Kinoshita, Shin-ichiro Hattori, Yuko Sakai-Tagawa, Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Masaki Imai, Yoshihiro Kawaoka. 13 May 2020. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic Cats. The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
Related Links
Division of Virology (in Japanese): https://www.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/virology/index.html
Institute of Medical Science: https://www.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/imsut/en/index.html
WHO Q&A Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
American CDC COVID-19 and animals: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html
World Organization for Animal Health Q&A on COVID-19: https://www.oie.int/en/scientific-expertise/specific-information-and-recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus/
USDA Statement on the Confirmation of COVID-19 in a Tiger in New York: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/news/sa_by_date/sa-2020/ny-zoo-covid-19
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare COVID-19 Q&A: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/doubutsu_qa__00001.html#Q1
Research contact
Professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Institute of Medical Science, Infectious Diseases Immunology Division, Virus Infection Field, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1
Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan and University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Email: yoshihiro.kawaoka@wisc.edu
Press officer contact
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Division for Strategic Public Relations, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku,
Tokyo 133-8654, JAPAN
Tel: +81-080-9707-8178
Email: press-releases.adm@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Journal
New England Journal of Medicine