Coronavirus is in the news every day and while there are good sources of information to consult (see below) there is also some scaremongering going on.
Coronaviruses have been around for years and many types already exist in humans mostly causing mild cold-like signs. Animal corona viruses also exist. However, COVID-19 is a brand new type of coronavirus, never before identified.
The spread of COVID-19 is thought to be mainly person-to-person and seems to be easy within a community. People are contagious when they are showing symptoms and the sicker they are the more contagious they become. There is also evidence that respiratory droplets produced by infected and sick persons can contaminate surfaces.
There is no evidence to date that dogs, horses and farm animals become sick with COVID-19 and certainly no evidence that these animals can spread the disease to each other or humans. However, there is limited evidence that cats can become sick with COVID-19. Two cats in Belgium developed vomiting and diarrhoea and respiratory signs that were due to COVID-19, and five cats in China were experimentally infected with the virus. However, no researchers believe that cats represent a source of human infection. Head to the article from RSPCA Knowledge for further information: Can I contract COVID-19 from companion animals?
