24 April 2020

2 cats New York

spotlight topic: COVID-19 and animals Case reports

2 Cats – New York

Published 23 April 2020 On the 22nd April the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) announced that SARS-CoV-2 had been detected in two pet cats, from separate households in New York. Both cats had mild respiratory signs but are expected to make a full recovery. The cats were originally tested for SARS-CoV-2 at a private veterinary laboratory, which then reported the results to state and federal officials. The confirmatory testing was conducted at NVSL and included collection of additional samples. Cat 1 was tested by a veterinarian after it showed mild respiratory signs. No individuals in the household were confirmed to be ill with COVID-19. It has been suggested that the virus was transmitted to this cat “by mildly ill or asymptomatic household members or through contact with an infected person outside its home.” Cat 2 Samples from the second cat were taken after it showed signs of respiratory illness. The owner of the cat tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the cat showing signs. Another cat in the household has shown no signs of illness. References 1. Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control (2020) Media statement: confirmation of COVID-19 in Two Pet Cats in New York 2. United States Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (2020) Confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in animals in the United States