Pet dog catches Covid in first confirmed UK canine case

A DOG that caught Covid-19 from its owners has become the first official canine case in the UK.

The animal was in a veterinary surgery for unrelated reasons when its owners tested positive and it then developed symptoms.

Health officials have not disclosed any information about the dog’s location or its owners’ identities but say the animal is now home and recovering.

Scientific studies and investigations have previously identified several cases of dogs being infected with Covid in Britain, but this is the first time an official test returned a positive test.

The test was processed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s main laboratory at its national headquarters in Weybridge, Surrey.

Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, said: “It is very rare for dogs to be infected and they will usually only show mild clinical signs and recover within a few days.

“There is no clear evidence to suggest that pets directly transmit the virus to humans. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and will update our guidance to pet owners should the situation change.”

Dr Katherine Russell, a consultant medical epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said that the virus is well-adapted to humans and therefore the vast majority of transmission occurs between people, but that it is possible for a Covid-positive human to also infect animals.

Bill Lambert, health, welfare and breeder services executive at the Kennel Club, said: “We’re aware of a very small number of reports of dogs testing positive for Covid-19 following close contact with infected humans.

“It seems that most do not show any symptoms but it is possible that some infected pets may develop mild effects. Severe effects are extremely rare.”

The US department for agriculture keeps a database of positive Covid tests in animals and has registered 90 instances of dogs being infected in the