Posted on 02/28/2020 10:12:46 AM PST by Red Badger
Key Points
WHO confirmed that a dog in Hong Kong has tested “weakly positive” for COVID-19.
Hong Kong scientists aren’t sure if the dog is actually infected or if it picked up the virus from a contaminated surface.
Swabs of its nasal and oral cavities tested “weak positive,” Hong Kong agriculture officials said.
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A dog in Hong Kong has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus that’s killed at least 2,859 humans across the world over the last two months, World Health Organization officials said Friday.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead of WHO’s emergencies program, said the canine tested “weakly positive,” meaning low levels of the virus were found.
Hong Kong scientists aren’t sure if the dog is actually infected or if it picked up the virus from a contaminated surface, she said.
“We’re working with them to understand the results, to understand what further testing they are doing and to understand how they are going to care for these animals,” Kerkhove said during a press conference at WHO’s headquarters in Geneva.
The dog reportedly belongs to a 60-year-old woman who developed symptoms on Feb. 12 and later tested positive, according to The Wall Street Journal.
As a precaution, the Hong Kong government declared cats, dogs and other domesticated mammals whose owners test positive and are quarantined for COVID-19 would be collected and delivered to a “designated animal keeping” facility for quarantine and veterinary surveillance. Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said the dog doesn’t have any symptoms. Swabs of its nasal and oral cavities revealed tested “weak positive,” it said in a statement Friday.
The dog is under quarantine at a facility at a port in Hong Kong and will be returned to the owner once it tests negative for the virus, according to the agency.
Although the virus seems to have emerged from an animal — scientists have said a bat — there is currently no evidence that suggests pets like dogs or cats can be infected with the coronavirus, the department said. However, the situation is still evolving, scientists say.
On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said six animal drug firms that source ingredients or make finished products in China have indicated they’re seeing disruptions in the supply chain that could soon lead to shortages.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests pet owners restrict contact with pets and other animals if the owner is infected with COVID-19. That includes “petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food.”
Interesting. In another story it was reported that cats and dogs couldn’t catch it.
Well that does it! I thought things were going to be ok until this, not even doggies are safe!
Maybe they are transmitters..........
Man’s best friend, too? Whatever. We’re in this together.
That’s good for another 3 percent decline in stocks.
Pet cremation stocks to rise...................
LOL— The dog probably licked its owner’s virus contaminated face.
From my reading of the story, it seems like the dog did not necessarily have the virus, but maybe the virus entered its nose by smelling a contaminated surface. If that is the case, a coffee table could have tested positive for the virus with showing any symptoms (yet).
LOL!
So now they will kill all of their pets!
For anyone interested.
Different virus, same family.
The above link works.
Riiiight. Like there are any dogs in China. Well, other than the restaurants. Have a nice day! ;-)
““designated animal keeping” facility for quarantine and veterinary surveillance”
Where they will be marinated in a soothing schezuan bath before undergoing thermal treatment in a wok.
Dog get bit by an infected bat from Wuhan lab?
Guess he shouldn’t have eaten that human burger that he bought at at McSpot
Is “weakly positive” like “kinda pregnant”?
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