Two cats in New York have become the first pets in the US to test positive for the virus.But don’t panic just yet – there is no evidence pets can spread the virus to humans, says the top US medical expert Dr Anthony Fauci.
It’s believed the cats contracted the virus from infected people in their household or neighbourhoods, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The cats, which have mild respiratory illnesses, come from separate areas of New York.
They are expected to make a full recovery.
Here’s a list of all the animals that we know have tested positive for the virus so far:
Five tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo in New York, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society which runs the zoo
A Pomeranian dog in Hong Kong, whose owner was infected with the virus. In February, the dog tested positive and was quarantined – later tests showed it was cleared of the virus and it was allowed to return home. However, it later died, though the cause of death remains unclear
A second dog in Hong Kong also tested positive for the virus, a German Shepherd with an infected owner. It was later put into quarantine. – BBC News
