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https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong...oronavirus-pet-dog-belonging-covid-19-patient
Coronavirus: pet dog belonging to Covid-19 patient infected, Hong Kong health authorities confirm
- Pomeranian first tested ‘weak positive’ last Friday, suggesting it was surface contamination, with dog picking up traces of the virus in its nose and mouth
- Animal now has low-level infection and experts unanimously conclude human-to-animal transmission
Alvin Lum Published: 9:43pm, 4 Mar, 2020
The pet dog will remain under quarantine for further testing. Photo: Facebook
Hong Kong health authorities confirmed on Wednesday that a pet dog belonging to a Covid-19 patient had contracted the coronavirus, with experts calling it the first reported case of human-to-animal transmission.
The Pomeranian, which repeatedly tested “weak positive” since last Friday – suggesting it was surface contamination, with the dog picking up traces of the virus in its nose and mouth rather than being actually infected – will now remain under quarantine with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further testing.
“It is positive to tests and has been infected, so it is now quarantined in a centre by the department,” health minister Sophia Chan Siu-chee said during a regular press briefing.
“Further tests will be conducted and it will not be released until the tests return negative results.”
The department said experts from the University of Hong Kong, City University and the World Organisation for Animal Health had been consulted, and all “unanimously agreed that these results suggest that the dog has a low-level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission.”
Coronavirus: pet dog belonging to Covid-19 patient infected, Hong Kong health authorities confirm
- Pomeranian first tested ‘weak positive’ last Friday, suggesting it was surface contamination, with dog picking up traces of the virus in its nose and mouth
- Animal now has low-level infection and experts unanimously conclude human-to-animal transmission
Alvin Lum Published: 9:43pm, 4 Mar, 2020
The pet dog will remain under quarantine for further testing. Photo: Facebook
Hong Kong health authorities confirmed on Wednesday that a pet dog belonging to a Covid-19 patient had contracted the coronavirus, with experts calling it the first reported case of human-to-animal transmission.
The Pomeranian, which repeatedly tested “weak positive” since last Friday – suggesting it was surface contamination, with the dog picking up traces of the virus in its nose and mouth rather than being actually infected – will now remain under quarantine with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further testing.
“It is positive to tests and has been infected, so it is now quarantined in a centre by the department,” health minister Sophia Chan Siu-chee said during a regular press briefing.
“Further tests will be conducted and it will not be released until the tests return negative results.”
The department said experts from the University of Hong Kong, City University and the World Organisation for Animal Health had been consulted, and all “unanimously agreed that these results suggest that the dog has a low-level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission.”
