London: The UK has reported the country’s first confirmed COVID-19 case in an animal, according to the country’s Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss. The infection, detected in a pet cat, was confirmed following tests at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) laboratory in Weybridge on July 22, reports Xinhua.
However, there is “no evidence to suggest that pets directly transmit the virus to humans”, the Middlemiss said on Monday. “We will continue to monitor it closely and will update our guidance to pet owners should the situation change,” said Middlemiss. The cat and its owners have since made full recovery and there was no transmission to other animals or people in the household. (IANS)