The coronavirus that has originated in Wuhan, China is now present in 183 countries and territories. The coronavirus affects mostly humans, but it can affect animals as well.
Two dogs in Hong Kong were tested positive for coronavirus in Hong Kong. First, there was the 17-year-old Pomeranian dog, which tested weakly positive for the virus. However, the dog was released from quarantine, after further tests showed negative results. Unfortunately, just two after his release, he passed away.
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Local media reported that the dog belonged to the 60-year-old businesswoman named Yvonne Chow Hau Yee. She didn’t want to do an autopsy to find out the reason for her dog’s passing. However, she believes her dog died of the stress in quarantine and the separation.
Dog of Hong Kong confirmed #coronavirus patient has died on Monday. Gov had said it tested “weak positive” for the virus, and then tested negative twice on March 12 & 13, before returning to the owner last Saturday. Gov said owner did not want an autopsy https://t.co/72mSmOKcCM
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) March 17, 2020
Now, a second dog has tested positive for coronavirus in Hong Kong but didn’t show any symptoms. The German shepherd was immediately sent to quarantine together with another mixed-breed dog from the same home. The mixed-breed dog tested negative for the coronavirus.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) released a statement in which they confirmed the case. It appears that the owner transferred the deadly virus to his German shepherd. The AFCD t will continue monitoring the dogs and test them again in a few days.
Now, pet owners are scared and some of them even decided to abandon their pets. However, that is not the answer. Currently, there is no evidence that proves pets are a source of the virus or that they can get sick from it. In this case, the transmission was from a human to an animal.
So, pet owners shouldn’t make irrationals decisions during the coronavirus pandemic. There is no evidence that a dog can transmit the virus, so don’t abandon your pet.
The coronavirus has killed more than 10,500 people around the world. Stay home and stay safe!
