WASHINGTON — Question:
Is this latest strain of coronavirus putting our pets at risk?
Answer:
No. Experts at the CDC and the WHO indicate that there is no current evidence that we should worry about our pets.
Sources:
All across social media, there are posts of dogs and cats wearing masks. These posts have been shared hundreds of times, sometimes simply because they're cute photos.
But there is genuine fear out there about whether our beloved pets are in danger.
"The Chinese coronavirus can infect your pets," one person wrote on Twitter.
To find out if this was true, the Verify team turned to the CDC, the WHO and VCA Animal Hospital, all of which have released a substantial amount of information on the topic.
The WHO commented on this topic, in a "Myth Busters" article, which they posted on their website.
"At present, there is no evidence, that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus," the organization wrote."
Nonetheless, the WHO urged pet owners to wash their hands after contact with pets, because this will protect them "against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans."
The CDC offered similar insights on an FAQ page, listed on their website: