An-Najah News - A cat in Belgium has become the world’s first feline to test positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the respiratory disease COVID-19, after experts warn it likely became infected by its owner.

The case suggests that “an animal can carry the virus just like objects,” according to experts at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Liège and a newsletter posted by the government Science Committee. 

A week after returning from Italy, the cat’s owner showed symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, and shallow breathing and tested positive for COVID-19 infection. Viral RNA taken from the feline’s stool and vomit found the presence of the virus after the feline exhibited symptoms of digestive and respiratory disease. So far, the cat is the third known case of a pet becoming infected by a human. Two dogs in Hong Kong also tested positive for the virus earlier this month but showed no disease symptoms.

 Experts recommend people continue to practice proper hygiene etiquette and to avoid contact with pets, especially when feeling ill. These measures are to prevent the person from transmitting the virus to their pet and having them become the carrier.

 Testing measures should be prioritized for human use, and if an animal is suspected to be ill, then pet owners are advised to contact their veterinarian. Because both dogs and the cat appear to be largely unaffected by the viral infection, it is believed that pets will recover and do not need to be euthanized.