A family member had positive tests for COVID-19 but later negative tests.
The first dog to test positive for COVID-19 in North Carolina has died.
The dog, which had evidence of signs of respiratory distress, was taken to NC State Veterinary Hospital on Aug. 3 at 3 p.m., after the owner marked the beginning of the day earlier in the day, the department said. of North Carolina Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) in a press release.
The dog succumbed to the acute illness and the owner warned staff at the veterinary hospital that a family member had previously tested positive for COVID-19, but was later tested negative.
According to NCDHHS, samples of the animal were then collected to be tested for the new coronavirus and sent to the National Veterinary Laboratories, where the dog was confirmed to have COVID-19.
“A necropsy was performed to try to determine the health status of the animal at the time of death and the cause of death, and the full investigation is underway,” the NCDHHS said in a press release.
The family along with state health officials from NCDHHS and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services were immediately notified of the positive outcome.
According to the Charlotte Observer, quoting a spokesman for NC State University, the dog identified as an 8-year-old Newfoundland, but the NCDHHS release did not identify the dog as information about the owners and where the family lived.
“There is currently no indication that dogs can transmit the virus to other animals, so there is no justification for taking measures against companion animals that may endanger their well-being,” said state therapist Dr. Doug Meckes in the NCDHHS statement.
The CDC says there is currently no evidence that pets play a major role in the spread of COVID-19.
“Based on the available information, the risk of animals spreading the virus to humans is considered low,” said Drs. Carl Williams, State Sector for Public Health.
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