Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said on March 4 that a dog had been infected with the new coronavirus to a low degree, becoming the first case in the world.

The pet dog belongs to Zhou Qiao, who has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus pneumonia. The AFCD's tests found that its oral and nasal samples were weakly positive.

AFCD had consulted experts from the University of Hong Kong, City University and the World Organization for Animal Health, and they agreed that the results showed that the dog had been infected with the virus to a low degree and is likely to be transmitted by humans.

At present, the dog is under quarantine at the animal shelter at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port. The dog did not show any symptoms.

Veterinarian: Dog infection does not equal the ability to reproduce the virus in the body

Veterinarian Li Changsheng said that AFCD should explain to the public what is "low-level infection" of new coronavirus pneumonia, and his personal interpretation is that the number of viruses is small.

He believes that dogs infected with humans do not equate to the ability to multiply the virus in the body, so there is no evidence that it has any risk of spreading the virus.

In addition, many coronaviruses can remain in the environment for several days, so it cannot be ruled out that dogs' nasal cavity and oral cavity are suitable for virus survival. This situation does not mean that it will cause disease or spread the virus.

Li Changsheng urged citizens not to panic about dogs. "Because dogs are very likely to get sick from their owners, and all patients' pets have to go to animal shelters for quarantine, so don't worry."

He emphasized that the chance of dogs getting sick on the street is extremely small. He reminded dogs to pay special attention to personal hygiene, and use dog straps when walking the dogs to prevent dogs from touching their surroundings and avoid approaching other dog owners on the street.

HKSPCA: Dog virus is likely to be transmitted by humans

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HKSPCA) said the dog did not show any symptoms and is currently very healthy and in good condition at the quarantine centre.

HKSPCA advises the public to understand that “infected” does not mean “infectious” and “capable of transmitting new coronaviruses”. There is no evidence that animals can transmit the virus to humans.

HKSPCA also believes that the dog virus is likely to be transmitted by humans. Therefore, AiXie advises pet owners to maintain strict personal hygiene habits. If the owner suspects that he is infected with the virus, he should consider limiting contact with pets.

Professor Vanessa Barrs, of the City University Jockey Club School of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, said the results of the tests showed that the dog had a low level of infection.

According to SARS experience in 2003, cats and dogs infected with the virus will not get sick and will not pass the virus to humans. There is no evidence that pets such as cats and dogs will pass the virus to humans.

Expert: Do not rule out dog-to-dog infections

The chairman of the Hong Kong Medical Association's Advisory Committee on Infectious Diseases, Liang Zichao, said that it is not surprising that coronaviruses are transmitted by humans because coronaviruses can be widely distributed in different animals.

Seventeen years ago, the SARS virus was studied in cats, but now a new coronavirus appears in dogs.

He said that because the dog was not sick, he believed that the antibodies in his body could clear the virus after a period of time, and he appealed to the owner of the pet not to worry too much.

However, it is not excluded that dogs and dogs can infect each other. Therefore, at this stage, avoid contact between dogs and other animals. If the owner is sick, avoid contact with pets at home.

Wash hands before and after touching cats and dogs

According to the official website of the WHO, there is no evidence that pets such as dogs and cats will be infected with the new coronavirus, but washing human hands with soap and water after contact with pets can significantly reduce the spread of common bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella between pets and human .

Xiao Jiahe, president of the Chinese (Hong Kong) Veterinary Society, reminded pet owners to wash their hands before and after touching cats and dogs. After the cats and dogs return home, they should wash their limbs to reduce the risk of contamination.

The World Health Organization expressed concern that dogs in Hong Kong have a weak positive response to the new coronavirus, and are working with Hong Kong health authorities and scientists to study the virus results of dogs to further understand whether the case is infected or infected from a contaminated environment. On virus. The WHO will continue to follow up Hong Kong's testing and quarantine work on the dog.

Special Report: Fighting The New Coronavirus