A pet dog in Hong Kong has contracted coronavirus from its owner in what is believed to be the first known human-to-animal transmission of the disease. The pooch was placed under quarantine at an animal facility after three tests confirmed it came down with a “low-level infection” of the COVID-19 virus. Officials first tested the dog on Feb. 26 and found low levels of coronavirus from its nasal and oral samples a day later. Two repeat tests earlier this week resulted in a “weak positive” for the virus, the department said.The dog will continue to be tested and will be returned to its owner once the results come back negative.
Apart from maintaining good hygiene practices, pet owners need not be overly concerned and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets. The global death toll from the new coronavirus epidemic surpassed 3,200 after more people died at its epicentre in China, as cases soared around the world. In India, with 23 new cases, the total number of infections have gone up to 29, of which 14 are Italian tourists.