Is your pet at risk from COVID-19? Maybe, CDC says

Some of the newest casualties of the COVID-19 coronavirus are tigers and lions the Bronx Zoo.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Sunday that a 4-year-old Malayan tiger, a critically endangered species, had tested positive along with six other tigers and lions in the zoo.

“Public health officials believe these large cats became sick after being exposed to a zoo employee who was actively shedding virus,” the USDA said in a statement.

“The good news is, the animals are being treated and are expected to recover in full,” Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson told WAPT. “The uncertainty, and what we’re still trying to explore is, is this disease transmittable to livestock, other animals – your pets, for example. And the answer is: we really don’t have an answer at this time.”

Early on in the pandemic, researchers knew that COVID-19 was zoonotic, meaning that the virus first appeared among animals, most likely a bat, and was then transmitted to humans. It was not the first coronavirus to do so. Both SARS in 2003 and MERS in 2012 were zoonotic.

What neither of the previous viruses did was pass from humans to animals, putting a whole new complexion on the seriousness of COVID-19.

Researchers are looking for answers on just how contagious the virus is for animals that regularly come in contact with people. In the case of livestock meant for food, they also want to know if the virus can be transmitted from the meat of an infected animal.

Gipson and State epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers recommend adding pets to your social distancing protocols.

“It’s important that if you are infected, if you are sick, don’t be the primary caregiver for that pet,” Byers told WAPT. “Keep some distance. We don’t know that our pets at home can transmit it back to us, or to other people, but we know that they may become infected. We want to avoid that if we can.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website that it “is aware of a very small number of pets, including dogs and cats, outside the United States reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19. To date, there is no evidence that pets can spread the virus to people.”

The CDC goes on to say that if you are sick, you should limit exposure to pets just as you would to other people.

• When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick.
• Avoid contact with your pet including, petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food.
• If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

Neither the USDA nor the CDC recommend routine testing of animals for COVID-19.

“Because the situation is ever-evolving, public and animal health officials may decide to test certain animals out of an abundance of caution,” the USDA said in its release about the Bronx zoo animals. “The decision to test will be made collaboratively between local, state or federal public and animal health officials.”