British scientists find evidence of human-to-cat transmission of Covid

The pandemic that has plagued the world has not left even pets safe. Scholars from University of Glasgow Found two cases of Sars-CoV-2 transmission of Humans to cats As part of the UK cat population screening program.

Cats, of various breeds, lived in separate homes and exhibited mild to severe respiratory symptoms. Researchers believe both pets were infected by their owners, who had developed symptoms of Covid-19 before the cats got sick. Watchman.

The study published in Veterinary record, Says that there is no evidence of reverse transmission, that is, from cat to human, or that cats, dogs or other pets play an important role in the epidemiology of human Covid infection.

The study also claims that pets can act as a pet ‘Viral reservoir’, Allowing for continuous transmission, and they said it was important to better understand whether pets could play a role in infecting humans.

Professor Margaret Hoose from the center said: “These two cases of human-to-animal transmission that were found in the cat group in the United Kingdom illustrate why it is important to improve our understanding of animal infection with SARS-CoV-2”. The research team on the MRC-University of Glasgow and lead author of the study

He added: “Currently, animal-to-human transmission represents a relatively low risk to public health in areas where human-to-human transmission remains high. However, as human cases decline, the likelihood is higher. Animal-to-animal transmission is becoming increasingly important As a potential source for reintroduction of SARS-CoV-2 into humans. “

He concluded: “Therefore it is important to improve our understanding of whether exposed animals can play a role in transmission.”

The first affected cat was a four-month-old Ragdoll female from a household where the owner developed symptoms consistent with a Sars-CoV-2 infection in late March 2020, although it has not been evaluated.

The cat was taken to a vet suffering from breathing difficulties in April 2020, but his condition deteriorated and he had to be euthanized. Postmortem lung samples revealed damage consistent with Viral pneumonia and there was evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The second cat was a six-year-old Siamese female from a house whose owner had tested positive for Covid-19. The cat was taken to the vet for a runny nose and conjunctivitis, but the symptoms remained mild and the cat recovered later.

Covid-19 infection was confirmed in a retrospective survey of swabs sent to the VDS between March and July 2020 for routine pathogen testing.

Scientists believe that the two cases are likely to underestimate the true frequency of human-to-animal transmission, as animal testing is limited, as the Guardian article concluded.