SARS-CoV-2 Natural Transmission from Human to Cat, Belgium, March 2020

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;26(12):3069-3071. doi: 10.3201/eid2612.202223. Epub 2020 Aug 12.

Abstract

In March 2020, a severe respiratory syndrome developed in a cat, 1 week after its owner received positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Viral RNA was detected in the cat's nasopharyngeal swab samples and vomitus or feces; immunoglobulin against the virus was found in convalescent-phase serum. Human-to-cat transmission is suspected.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Felis silvestris catus; SARS-CoV-2; cat; coronavirus disease; pandemic; respiratory infections; reverse zoonosis; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; transmission; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Belgium
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • COVID-19 / veterinary*
  • Cats*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Viral Zoonoses