A study published on the website of the journal Science on Wednesday (April 8) suggests that cats can become infected with the coronavirus, while dogs are less likely to catch it.
The study, aimed to identify which animals are vulnerable to the virus, was conducted in order to use the animals to test the experimental COVID-19 vaccines.
It said that cats and ferrets are found highly susceptible to the virus, based on research conducted in China in January and February. Researchers also found that cats are able to infect each other via respiratory droplets.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that it will investigate more closely, the role of pets in the transmission of the virus. However, it urged people to not attack animals because of the outbreak.
Source: Channel News Asia
