‘Don’t handle pets’ warning after kitten dies of Covid from owner

First case of human-to-cat transmission and fatality confirmed in UK as close contact is advised against

A KITTEN has died from Covid-19 in the first case of its kind in the UK, as owners were warned not to hug their pets. The four-month-old animal died from pneumonia triggered by contracting the virus from her owner. It developed shortness of breath and had to be put down. A post-mortem found viral pneumonia and SARS-COV-2 , the virus which causes Covid-19, in its lungs.

This is believed to be the first case of a kitten dying from the virus in the UK, as well as the first evidence of humanto-cat transmission. Experts are now warning those who have Covid-19 to avoid close contact with their cats until they have fully recovered.

Daniella Dos Santos, senior vice president at the British Veterinary Association, said: “There have been a very small number of cases of the virus that causes Covid-19 identified in domestic animals worldwide and it appears likely that the transmission was from infected humans to animals. Our advice to pet owners who have Covid-19 or who are self-isolating with symptoms remains to restrict contact with their pets and to practise good hygiene, including regular handwashing.

“If your pet requires care, wash your hands before and after any interaction and wear a face mask if possible. If your pet shows any symptoms which you suspect may be caused by the virus that causes Covid-19 in humans, please do not take it to the vet but call the practice for advice first and alert them to the household’s status.

“We also recommend that owners who are confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19 should keep their cat indoors if possible, but only if the cat is happy to be kept indoors. Some cats cannot stay indoors due to stress-related medical reasons.”

The kitten was part of a feline national screening programme for

Covid-19. The owner lives in England and does not wish to be identified.

Prof Margaret Hosie, of the Centre for Virus Research at the University of Glasgow, led the research into the death, published in Veterinary Record.

She noted that it was speculation that Covid-19 had triggered the pneumonia. However, she advised people with Covid-19 not to cuddle or sleep with their cats.

“Given the ability of the coronavirus to infect companion animals, it will be important to monitor for human-to-cat, cat-to-cat and cat-to-human transmission,” she said.

“Cats often live closely with their owners, licking their hands or faces, sometimes sleeping on or in their beds. There could also be risks associated with washing the cats’ food and water bowls and cleaning out litter boxes.”

Public Health England has urged pet owners to wash their hands before and after contact with animals.

‘If your pet requires care, wash your hands before and after any interaction and wear a face mask if possible’