French medical experts have advised people to wash their hands after touching their pets as the risk of transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease from animals “cannot be ruled out.”
Credit: Aly Song/Reuters
It must be noted that there has been no evidence that domestic animals can transmit or catch the COVID-19 to and from humans, but the French Academy of Medicine shares that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. They cited the SARS outbreak of 2002-2003 which was able to infect a lot of animal species including cats and hamsters, as well as the news about the two dogs of a patient in Hong Kong, who was infected with COVID-19, that also eventually tested positive for the virus.
However, Vets in Practice clarified in a post that canine coronavirus is different from COVID-19 and cannot be transmitted to humans. No other concrete evidence can suggest otherwise as well.
Still, the French Academy of Medicine advised pet owners to “reinforce” their hygiene measures by washing their hands after touching their pets, “not allowing them to lick your face,” and separating oneself from them if sick or infected with the virus.
(ALSO READ: 5 vet clinics open in Metro Manila during enhanced community quarantine)
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