Scientists investigated a corona case in Thailand. A cat sneezed on a veterinarian. Genome sequencing gave researchers clarity.
Bangkok/New York/Munich – Can people get infected with the corona virus from animals? Evidence of this was initially found only rarely. In 2020, the outbreak of Sars-CoV-2 on mink farms in Denmark caused a huge stir. A corona mutation was found in the fur animals, and people were also infected. According to a new study, the virus can probably also be transmitted from cats to humans.
Corona transmission to humans: the vet is sneezed on by a cat and becomes infected
In the journal “Emerging Infectious Diseases” scientists describe a case in Thailand. The article was published on June 6, 2022. A veterinarian is said to have contracted the virus in August 2021. A 64-year-old man and his son arrived at the university clinic in the southern Thai city of Songkhala. They had both tested positive for the corona virus. Why they had their cat with them remained unclear. However, the animal should be examined as a precaution. The result: This corona test was also positive. During the examination, the cat sneezed on the doctor.
The animal probably got the virus from its two owners, according to the article by the group around Sarunyou Chusri from the Prince of Songkla University in Songkhla. Genome sequencing showed that the viruses found in the cat, the veterinarian and the owners were very closely related. Another strain of the virus was identified for the only colleague from the vet’s environment who had tested positive for corona. In addition, the veterinarian had no contact with the owners of the animal.
Corona: Transmission from humans to cats more often than vice versa
However, scientists emphasize in a report by New York Timesthat the virus is transmitted from humans to cats much more frequently than in the opposite direction. However, the case underscores the need for a infection to also isolate animals in the household, said the infectious diseases specialist Scott Weese from the Canadian University of Guelph the newspaper. “I think it’s important for us to recognize that the virus can still switch between species.” So if you stay away from people because you might be contagious, you should also stay away from animals, the expert continued. (mbr with dpa)
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