AFCD Quarantines Dog And Cat With Coronavirus

Officials said on Wednesday that a pet cat and a pet dog have come down with coronavirus, but stressed that pet-owners should not panic.

In a statement, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said the cases involve a Scottish short-haired cat in Tsuen Wan and a Yorkshire Terrier in Sham Shui Po.

It said the animals' owners were close contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases.

The AFCD said the animals were in quarantine and had yet to show any symptoms.

The department also stressed that there was currently no evidence to show that pets play a role in transmitting the virus, and called on people not to abandon their pets.

Experts say the transmissibility of the new coronavirus in mammals other than humans is low, but stress that people should maintain personal hygiene and avoid acts like kissing their pets.