The virus that causes COVID-19, which is likely to have been received by the sick pooch from its owners, who had previously tested positive for COVID, is believed to have infected the dog.
It was verified last week at an Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) laboratory in Weybridge, Surrey, that the infection had occurred. Experts, on the other hand, have confirmed that there is no evidence to imply that the dog was responsible for infecting its owners.
Pets and other domestic animals, as well as people, have not been shown to be carriers of the coronavirus, according to the available information.
It is suspected that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was transmitted to humans from an animal source, most likely bats, however, transmission has only been seen in humans at this point in time.
According to experts, this is the first time a dog has been diagnosed with Covid in the United Kingdom.
According to reports, the pup was first treated for a completely different disease and is now on the mend.
The incidence was submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health in accordance with international agreements.
There have been a few reports of dogs being infected with Covid in different parts of the world, but these have been very unusual.
Acute infection symptoms are often modest and diminish within a few days after the onset.
Veterinary head Christine Middlemiss stated:
“The Animal and Plant Health Agency has verified that the virus responsible for Covid-19 has been identified in a domestic dog in the United Kingdom, after tests done by the agency.
“The afflicted dog was being treated for an unrelated ailment at the time of the infection and is now on the mend.
“It is quite unusual for dogs to get infected with the virus, and when they do, they will often only exhibit minimal clinical indications and will recover within a few days.․․
“There is no conclusive evidence to show that pets are responsible for the transmission of the virus to people. Pet owners should be aware that we will continue to carefully monitor the situation and that we will update our advice if the situation changes.”
Pet owners whose canine or feline companion has been unwell as a result of Covid have been advised to keep their animals away from them while they recuperate.․․
According to the findings of research conducted in the Netherlands, Covid is rather widespread among cats and dogs living in infected homes.․․
Experts have said that the results pose no further danger to public health in the long term.
However, there is still a possibility that animals might act as a “reservoir” for the coronavirus, allowing it to reinsert itself into the human population.․․
Under a statement released by the UK Health Security Agency, Dr. Katherine Russell, consultant medical epidemiologist, said:
“COVID-19 is mostly transmitted from person to person, however, the virus has been known to transfer from humans to animals in certain circumstances.․․
You should wash your hands routinely, both before and after contact with animals, in accordance with basic public health recommendations.
