First case of an infection in pets in South Korea was reported in South Gyeongsang Province in January.
A number of weeks after South Korea reported its first COVID-19 case involving a pet cat, Seoul will begin testing cats and canines for coronavirus an infection in the event that they present signs of the sickness, an official from the nation’s capital stated on Tuesday.
Whereas the illness largely spreads from individual to individual, it may possibly additionally unfold from individuals to animals, or from animals to human – though that’s a lot much less important – in accordance with well being consultants.
Various pet cats and canines have been reported to be contaminated with the virus in a number of nations. Different animals together with mink, gorillas, and tigers had been additionally reported to have examined constructive.
The Seoul metropolitan authorities rolled out the take a look at on Monday, the Yonhap information company reported.
Park Yoo-mi, a illness management official in Seoul, was quoted as saying that the checks will probably be performed close to the animal’s dwelling by a staff of well being employees, together with a veterinarian.
Solely cats and canines exhibiting signs, akin to fever, coughing, respiration difficulties and elevated secretion from the eyes or nostril, will probably be examined, Park careworn, including that almost all pets haven’t proven signs.
Pet quarantine
If the pet checks constructive, it is going to be required to quarantine at dwelling for 14 days with out being despatched to an isolation facility, Park stated.
If the pet’s homeowners are unable to deal with the animal because of well being causes, or if they’re aged, the creatures will then be taken for isolation at a city-run facility west of Seoul.
“Please hold your canines a minimum of 2 metres [6.5 feet] away from individuals and different pets when strolling them, and strictly observe antivirus measures, akin to sporting masks and washing palms,” Park stated.
In January, a kitten examined constructive for the brand new coronavirus in South Gyeongsang Province, the place greater than 100 individuals have additionally contracted the virus in the identical non secular facility.
There was no recognized COVID-19 an infection in canines in South Korea, though canines basically have been recognized to get the flu.
Based on the Mayo Clinic web site, the chance of animals spreading the virus to individuals is taken into account low and animals don’t seem to play a major function within the sickness’s unfold.
There’s additionally no proof that viruses can unfold to individuals or different animals from a pet’s pores and skin, fur or hair, the Mayo Clinic added.
Consultants suggested that to guard pets from being contaminated with the virus, homeowners are suggested to maintain their canine or cat from interacting with individuals or animals outdoors their households.