Announced the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the national laboratories of the veterinary services (NVSL) United States Department of Agriculture (NVSL) today announced the first confirmed cases of the infection SARS - CoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19) in two cats for pets. These are the first pets in the United States that have proven positive for SARS CoV-2.
Cats live in two separate areas of New York. Both suffered from mild respiratory diseases and were expected to recover fully. SARS - CoV - 2 infection has been reported in very few animals worldwide, most of which are in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
At this time, no routine animal testing is recommended.
In New York's reported cases today, the first cat was tested by a veterinarian after showing light respiratory signs. No family member was confirmed to have COVID-19. The virus may be transmitted to this cat by family members with mild or asymptomatic illness or by contacting an infected person outside his home.
The second cat was sampled after it showed signs of respiratory disease. The cat test was positive on COVID-19 before the cat showed up on the marks. Another cat in the family showed no signs of illness.
Both cats chose positive supposed SARS - CoV - 2 in veterinary laboratory private, which informed after that the results to government officials and the feds. The test was conducted confirmation at NVSL included the collection of additional samples. Works NVSL laboratory international reference and provides expertise and guidance on diagnostic techniques, in addition to the test confirmation of disease animal foreign and emerging. This test is required for certain animal diseases in the United States to comply with national and international reporting procedures. OIE considers SARS-CoV-2 to be an emerging disease, and the US Department of Agriculture must report confirmed animal infections to OIE.
Still public health officials are learning from SARS - CoV-2, but there is no evidence that pets play a role in the dissemination of the virus in the United States.