https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hea ... 19-patient

Coronavirus: pet dog belonging to Covid-19 patient infected, Hong Kong health authorities confirm

- Pomeranian first tested ‘weak positive’ last Friday, suggesting it was surface contamination, with dog picking up traces of the virus in its nose and mouth
- Animal now has low-level infection and experts unanimously conclude human-to-animal transmission

Alvin Lum Published: 9:43pm, 4 Mar, 2020


The pet dog will remain under quarantine for further testing. Photo: Facebook

Hong Kong health authorities confirmed on Wednesday that a pet dog belonging to a Covid-19 patient had contracted the coronavirus, with experts calling it the first reported case of human-to-animal transmission.

The Pomeranian, which repeatedly tested “weak positive” since last Friday – suggesting it was surface contamination, with the dog picking up traces of the virus in its nose and mouth rather than being actually infected – will now remain under quarantine with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further testing.

“It is positive to tests and has been infected, so it is now quarantined in a centre by the department,” health minister Sophia Chan Siu-chee said during a regular press briefing.

“Further tests will be conducted and it will not be released until the tests return negative results.”

The department said experts from the University of Hong Kong, City University and the World Organisation for Animal Health had been consulted, and all “unanimously agreed that these results suggest that the dog has a low-level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission.”

Not only has the pooch got the pox, but he has been outed too!

yong wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 9:07 pm The Pomeranian, which repeatedly tested “weak positive” since last Friday – suggesting it was surface contamination, with the dog picking up traces of the virus in its nose and mouth rather than being actually infected – will now remain under quarantine with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further testing.

Lucky the pooch won't suffer the same fate as in another place...

Pets aren’t being spared either

This may have been an unintended consequence of an official policy but animal rights activists with the Nanchong Stray Animal Rescue claim that authorities are killing domesticated animals outright amid fears that they can spread the coronavirus.

Officers in the Sichuan Province are allegedly knocking on people’s doors and ordering residents to hand over their pets, while people beg for their companions to be spared, Metro UK reported. The group has accused Chinese authorities of killing the animals within minutes of getting their hands on them.

post399751.html#p399751

Hong Kong warns residents not to kiss pets after dog contracts coronavirus
Pomeranian tested a ‘weak positive’ for virus after owner was infected, authorities say
5 March 2020
Hong Kong authorities have warned people to avoid kissing their pets, but also to not panic and abandon them after a dog repeatedly tested “weak positive” for coronavirus.

The Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said experts unanimously agreed the results suggested the dog had “a low-level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission”.

The Pomeranian’s owner was infected with Covid-19 but the dog itself was not showing symptoms, authorities said.

Medical experts, including from the World Health Organization (WHO), had been investigating the case to determine if the dog was actually infected or had picked it up from a contaminated surface. The WHO has said there is no evidence animals like dogs or cats can be infected with the coronavirus.

“Pet owners need not be overly concerned and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets,” said Hong Kong’s department of agriculture.

Authorities warned pet owners in the city, where 103 people have been infected with Covid-19 and thousands are in self-quarantine, not to panic.

“Pet owners are reminded to adopt good hygiene practices (including hand washing before and after being around or handling animals, their food, or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing them) and to maintain a clean and hygienic household environment,” the department said.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/ ... oronavirus

After all those viruses coming from the animals now it's finally pay back time!

dog? more like arat

Kammekor wrote: ↑Thu Mar 05, 2020 5:04 pm After all those viruses coming from the animals now it's finally pay back time!

Instant Karma

fazur wrote: ↑Thu Mar 05, 2020 5:19 pm dog? more like arat

More like a meal for members of those packs that run around Bangkok.

Reminder: Do not kiss your pets.

3h ago 03:38
Hong Kong dog that tested 'weak positive' for Covid-19 dies
Helen Davidson
The pet dog in Hong Kong which grabbed attention after it tested positive for Covid-19 has died after returning home to its owner.

The dog was taken into quarantine in February when its owner was diagnosed with Covid-19.

It returned a “weak positive” result over the course of several tests. Hong Kong radio reported this morning that the dog had finally tested negative and was allowed to go home on Saturday. However the owner told officials on Monday that it had died.

Authorities did not say how the dog had died and the owner refused permission for an autopsy.

The dog never showed symptoms or appeared ill, and a blood test showed it had no antibodies.

Health authorities repeatedly said there was no evidence the dog could pass the disease on to a human, and they urged people to continue to care for their pets. Because the dog showed weak positive results from swabs of its nasal cavity, the concern was that the cavity was likely a contaminated surface.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/ ... est-update

Authorities did not say how the dog had died and the owner refused permission for an autopsy.

Hmm, under the circumstances, I'd say that the authorities should order the owner to hand over the dog's body for the autopsy...