(Newser)
– There is no evidence that pets can infect their owners with COVID-19, British authorities say, but they have recorded their first case of infection that apparently occurs the other way. Authorities say a pet cat believed to have caught the virus from its owners showed mild symptoms, including difficulty breathing and a runny nose, but has now fully recovered. guardian reports. There are no signs that the cat has infected any person or other animals, although Public Health England medical director Yvonne Doyle says the rare case should be a reminder for people to wash their hands after contact with animals. .
There have been several cases in other countries of cats contracting the virus, and a tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive in April. At Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, researchers say they believe cats and other feline species are susceptible to the virus, but not dogs, bears, pigs, chickens, or ducks, the CBC reports. “It turns out that a single amino acid [in the protein], which is what a receptor comprises, contributes to susceptibility, “says lead researcher Saby Mathavarajah.” That one change, or that one mutation, is what confers resistance to dogs, for example, but not cats. “(Read more coronavirus stories).)
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