A study by researchers from Utrecht University finds that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid</a> is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners are infected by the disease.

Pets in 196 households where an infection was present were swabbed for traces of infection.

A PCR test revealed six positive results for cats and seven for dogs, and 54 animals were found to have antibodies for the virus.

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Dr Els Broens from Utrecht University advised that people with Covid should avoid contact with their cats or dogs.

The reason behind this advice lies in the uncertainty of whether pets can transmit the virus or not. While the authors of this study found no evidence of pet to human interaction, they say that detection would be difficult especially when human to human transmission is so swift.&nbsp;

Covid tends to cause mild to no symptoms in most animals infected with it.

As part of the research a mobile veterinary clinic was sent to Netherland households where in the last 200 days, someone had tested positive for Covid.&nbsp;

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There they took blood samples to test for antibodies that could suggest past exposure to Covid, as well as swabs of the pet cats and dogs to test for current infection.

Results which were then presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases showed that around 4.2 per cent of the pets had a current infection, while 17.4 per cent tested positive for antibodies.&nbsp;

PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-positive animals were subsequently tested and showed that antibodies were formed.

According to the researchers, the most likely route for transmission of viruses is from humans to animals, but that they can't say that vice versa is zero per cent possible.&nbsp;

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Many animals in Russia are being vaccinated against the disease by veterinarians. However, Dr Broens believes that to be unnecessary, as for now there is no evidence supporting the need for it.&nbsp;

Study No. 2

In a separate study, researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, found cats sleeping on their owners' beds appeared particularly susceptible to infection.

The owners of 48 cats and 54 dogs from 77 households were interviewed to learn about their interaction with their pets, and the animal immune systems were tested for Covid antibodies.

67 per cent of pet cats and 43 per cent of pet dogs tested positive for Covid, while merely 9 per cent of cats and dogs from an animal shelter and 3 per cent of stray cats tested positive.&nbsp;

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Twenty-five per cent of the pets exhibited symptoms, ranging from loss of appetite to difficulty breathing. Despite most cases being mild, three were severe.

The researchers suggest that the biology of cats may make them more susceptible to Covid infection.

Additionally, as cats are more likely than dogs to sleep near their owners' faces, they are at higher risk of catching an infection from their owner's breath.

'Robustly conducted'

Professor James Wood, the head of the veterinary medicine department at Cambridge University, said the two studies provide further indications that cats and dogs may contract the disease from their owners.

He also noted that the Dutch study was robustly conducted and demonstrated that even though 20 per cent of exposed pets may be infected, they eventually clear the infection just like most humans do.

A study by researchers from Utrecht University finds that Covid is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners are infected by the disease. Pets in 196 households where an infection was present were swabbed for traces of infection.

A study by researchers from Utrecht University finds that Covid is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners are infected by the disease. Pets in 196 households where an infection was present were swabbed for traces of infection. A PCR test revealed six positive results for cats and seven for dogs, and 54 animals were found to have antibodies for the virus. Also read | ‘No cuddling’: UK warns people after cat tests positive for coronavirus Dr Els Broens from Utrecht University advised that people with Covid should avoid contact with their cats or dogs. The reason behind this advice lies in the uncertainty of whether pets can transmit the virus or not. While the authors of this study found no evidence of pet to human interaction, they say that detection would be difficult especially when human to human transmission is so swift. Covid tends to cause mild to no symptoms in most animals infected with it. As part of the research a mobile veterinary clinic was sent to Netherland households where in the last 200 days, someone had tested positive for Covid. Also read | Seoul to give free COVID-19 tests to pets There they took blood samples to test for antibodies that could suggest past exposure to Covid, as well as swabs of the pet cats and dogs to test for current infection. Results which were then presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases showed that around 4.2 per cent of the pets had a current infection, while 17.4 per cent tested positive for antibodies. PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-positive animals were subsequently tested and showed that antibodies were formed. According to the researchers, the most likely route for transmission of viruses is from humans to animals, but that they can't say that vice versa is zero per cent possible. Also read | Covid common in pet dogs and cats, reveals study Many animals in Russia are being vaccinated against the disease by veterinarians. However, Dr Broens believes that to be unnecessary, as for now there is no evidence supporting the need for it. Study No. 2 In a separate study, researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, found cats sleeping on their owners' beds appeared particularly susceptible to infection. The owners of 48 cats and 54 dogs from 77 households were interviewed to learn about their interaction with their pets, and the animal immune systems were tested for Covid antibodies. 67 per cent of pet cats and 43 per cent of pet dogs tested positive for Covid, while merely 9 per cent of cats and dogs from an animal shelter and 3 per cent of stray cats tested positive. Also read | Scientists find evidence of human-to-cat COVID-19 transmission Twenty-five per cent of the pets exhibited symptoms, ranging from loss of appetite to difficulty breathing. Despite most cases being mild, three were severe. The researchers suggest that the biology of cats may make them more susceptible to Covid infection. Additionally, as cats are more likely than dogs to sleep near their owners' faces, they are at higher risk of catching an infection from their owner's breath. 'Robustly conducted' Professor James Wood, the head of the veterinary medicine department at Cambridge University, said the two studies provide further indications that cats and dogs may contract the disease from their owners. He also noted that the Dutch study was robustly conducted and demonstrated that even though 20 per cent of exposed pets may be infected, they eventually clear the infection just like most humans do.

Study finds that pets are at risk of covid infection from their owners, not the other way around

There has been enough evidence now that animals are not immune to novel coronavirus. And in new research in China's Wuhan, coronavirus's very first epicentre, it has been found that cats are getting infected with coronavirus more than first believed.&nbsp;

The study, conducted by Huazhong Agricultural University and published in journal Emerging Microbes &amp; Infections, found COVID-19 antibodies present in blood samples of 15 cats out of the 102 that were part of the study.&nbsp;

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It also noted that cats are battling COVID-19 due to the development of natural antibodies, however, they still face a risk of reinfection.&nbsp;

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It also showed that 11 cats had neutralising antibodies, which help to successfully block the infection.

The study was conducted between January and March 2020, when the outbreak first hit Wuhan and collected nasal and anal swabs from the felines.

Interestingly, the results of return visits found that the cats didn't show any obvious symptoms of the deadly virus and tested negative in the COVID-19 tests.

None of the cats that participated in the study died too.&nbsp;

For the research, 46 abandoned cats from three animal shelters, 41 from five pet hospitals and 15 from coronavirus patient families, were involved.

The study also revealed that the three cats with the highest number of antibodies are owned by COVID-19 patients.&nbsp;

Meilin Jin, study's lead author, said no evidence has been found on cat-to-human transmission, but warned that precautions must be taken.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

There has been enough evidence now that animals are not immune to novel coronavirus. And in new research in China's Wuhan, coronavirus's very first epicentre, it has been found that cats are getting infected with coronavirus more than first believed.

There has been enough evidence now that animals are not immune to novel coronavirus. And in new research in China's Wuhan, coronavirus's very first epicentre, it has been found that cats are getting infected with coronavirus more than first believed. The study, conducted by Huazhong Agricultural University and published in journal Emerging Microbes & Infections, found COVID-19 antibodies present in blood samples of 15 cats out of the 102 that were part of the study. Also read | South Korea: Battery-powered masks to fight coronavirus, foggy glasses unveiled It also noted that cats are battling COVID-19 due to the development of natural antibodies, however, they still face a risk of reinfection. Also read | Superbug is deadlier than COVID-19; situation worse in Pacific It also showed that 11 cats had neutralising antibodies, which help to successfully block the infection. The study was conducted between January and March 2020, when the outbreak first hit Wuhan and collected nasal and anal swabs from the felines. Interestingly, the results of return visits found that the cats didn't show any obvious symptoms of the deadly virus and tested negative in the COVID-19 tests. None of the cats that participated in the study died too. For the research, 46 abandoned cats from three animal shelters, 41 from five pet hospitals and 15 from coronavirus patient families, were involved. The study also revealed that the three cats with the highest number of antibodies are owned by COVID-19 patients. Meilin Jin, study's lead author, said no evidence has been found on cat-to-human transmission, but warned that precautions must be taken.

More cats infected with coronavirus than previously considered: Study

Five tigers and three lions at the Bronx zoo in New York have tested positive for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-uk-death-toll-drops-in-last-24-hours-as-infection-cases-rise-294338">COVID-19</a>. The first tiger that tested positive earlier this month has now recovered.

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The cats caught the infection from a staff member who was showing no symptoms at the time.

Preventive measures are now in place for the staff.

Two pet cats in New York have tested positive for coronavirus becoming the first pets in the United States to be infected. It once again raises concerns of human-to-animal transmission.

The cats live in separate areas of New York and showed mild respiratory symptoms.

Five tigers and three lions at the Bronx zoo in New York have tested positive for COVID-19. The first tiger that tested positive earlier this month has now recovered.

Five tigers and three lions at the Bronx zoo in New York have tested positive for COVID-19. The first tiger that tested positive earlier this month has now recovered. Also Read: Trump approves order to temporarily suspend immigration into US The cats caught the infection from a staff member who was showing no symptoms at the time. Preventive measures are now in place for the staff. Two pet cats in New York have tested positive for coronavirus becoming the first pets in the United States to be infected. It once again raises concerns of human-to-animal transmission. The cats live in separate areas of New York and showed mild respiratory symptoms.

Tigers, lions test positive for COVID-19 in New York zoo