Should I be concerned about pets or other animals and COVID-19?

No need to panic for now! While the virus that causes COVID-19 seems to have emerged from the animal source, currently, it is spreading from person-to-person. So, there is no reason to believe that any animals, including pets, could be the source of infection with this new coronavirus.

Concerns about pet illness with COVID-19, and spread between owners and their animals emerged after reports from Hong Kong health authorities that a dog belonging to a woman sick with COVID-19, also tested “weak positive” for the new coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The dog, however, showed no symptoms of COVID-19 and is in quarantine. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong is continuing to monitor and test the animal. The agency clarified, ‘environmental contamination’ may have lead to the initial positive response and the dog would be monitored and checked repeatedly. Until there is any information otherwise, all the pet owners can feel confident that the virus is not spreading between pets including owners and other pets.

But, as animals can spread other diseases to people, it is always better to wash your hands before and after being around animals. (Source: WebMD and CDC)