If a human is sick and it's suspected they have COVID-19, they should keep a distance from pets just as they would from others, CDC and vet organization warn.
While there is"very limited data published in the medical and veterinary medical literature thus far, we have to remember coronaviruses in general are known to infect animals," ABC News' chief medical correspondent Dr. Jen Ashton said.
Dr. Evan Antin, an exotic, small animal and wildlife veterinarian, told ABC News,"If your pet has COVID-19 it's far more likely that you gave it to them or somebody else in your household and you've already been exposed to that person as well.""All of the tigers and lions that got sick had a cough, it was a dry cough, not a productive cough," Dr. Paul Callie, chief veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo, told ABC News.
Research has shown that the virus can live on hard surfaces, but it is unknown whether it can live on animal fur.The CDC and the American Veterinary Medical Association suggest if a human is sick and it's implied or assumed they have COVID-19, they should keep a distance from pets just as they would from others.
"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," the CDC said. "Obviously you can't use a bleach wipe on your pet -- maybe wiping them off with water once in a while if that's possible," Ashton suggested, reiterating that the most important preventative tactic is to treat the animal how you would a person and keep your distance if not feeling well.
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