
ABCD issues guideline on SARS-coronavirus-2 in cats
The Advisory Board on Cat Diseases has just published a new guideline in relation to SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19.
The guideline contains a regularly updated review of available scientific data regarding the role of this virus in cats, its transmission from and to humans and the impact of cats in the current pandemic.
“First of all, we would emphasise that there is currently no evidence that cats transmit SARS-CoV-2 to humans,” stressed Margaret Hosie, ABCD President and Professor of Comparative Virology at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research in the UK.
The guidelines also provide information on the nature of the virus, recent experimental studies on cats and new data describing the prevalence of infection in cats.
The main conclusions of the guideline for practitioners include:
- There is currently no evidence of cat-to-human transmission.
- Close contact with pet cats should be avoided in households where people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (or have symptoms of COVID-19) as human-to-cat transmission has been reported.
- If owners with COVID-19 must continue to care for their pet while ill, strict hygiene should be observed.
- Cats from a COVID-19 household should not be rehomed, placed in isolation, relinquished or abandoned.
- Cats should never be disinfected under any circumstances.
- Testing of cats is not recommended at present.
“Our
guidelines will be updated regularly as new data become available,”
Professor Hosie confirms. “One of our key messages is that pet owners
should always maintain good hygiene practices and under no circumstances
should cats be abandoned.”
Common questions on COVID-19 and cats
What is the risk of a SARS-CoV-2 positive person infecting his or her cat?
To date, only two cats (and two dogs and one tiger) have been identified as infected following contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive people. To reduce the risk of infection, close contact with pet cats should be avoided in households where people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 or have symptoms of COVID-19. However, cats should not be rehomed or relinquished.
What is the risk of a SARS-CoV-2 positive cat infecting his or her owner?
To date, there is no evidence that cats can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to humans. More than 2 million human COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide and human-to-human transmission is the main route of infection.
What are the clinical signs linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats?
Following experimental infection, infectious virus was found in the upper respiratory tract, so respiratory signs might develop, or infection could be subclinical. Kittens were more susceptible following experimental infection compared to young adult cats and infectious virus was isolated from the intestines of experimentally- infected kittens, but not from young adults cats.
The tigers and lions that shared the enclosure with the tiger that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 displayed respiratory signs. The SARS-CoV-2-positive cat identified in Belgium in late March had respiratory and digestive signs, but it was not proven that these signs were the result of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
What should (self-isolating) SARS-CoV-2 positive people do if they have a cat?
Contacts between COVID-19 patients and their pets should be limited to a minimum. However, cats in such households should remain in their home. It is preferable that they are looked after by another, asymptomatic, member of the household.
What should be done with the cat if the owner needs to go to hospital?
If the patient lives alone or needs to be hospitalised, the cat should remain at home and be cared for by friends or family of the patient, observing strict hygiene measures upon entering/leaving the home. It is not recommended to rehome, isolate or even euthanise cats in these circumstances.
Can cats carry the virus on their fur and should they be disinfected?
Although it has not been proven, it is possible that fomite transmission could occur via pets. Cats themselves should not be disinfected, only inanimate materials. However, strict hygiene should be observed by the owners (washing hands after contact with cats) and close physical contact with cats (e.g. licking face, sharing food or towels) should be avoided.
Should vets be testing such cats routinely?
The testing of cats for SARS-CoV-2 infection is not recommended; tests and reagents must be prioritised for human testing.
What measures should cat owners take in COVID-19 affected areas?
There is a risk of cats contracting SARS-CoV-2 from their owner, but the risk is minimised if standard hygiene measures are observed: avoid too close contact (e.g. licking face, sharing food or towels), regularly wash hands with water and soap after contact, regularly clean the litter box. This will minimise the risk of any zoonotic diseases.
Weitere Meldungen
Neuigkeiten aus der Wissenschaft
Neue Verordnung zu MKS: Importverbot für tierische Produkte aus Ungarn gezielt angepasst
Importverbot gilt ab 14. April 2025 nur mehr für Regionen mit Schutz- oder Sperrzonen - Maßnahmen zum Schutz der Tiergesundheit bleiben aufrecht
Hardenberg Institute vermittelt Veterinär-Studienplätze
Das Hardenberg Institute vermittelt Studieninteressierte aus Österreich und Deutschland an akkreditierte Veterinär-Fakultäten im EU-Ausland
Neues Artenschutzhaus für geschmuggelte Tiere im Tiergarten Schönbrunn eröffnet
Im Tiergarten Schönbrunn wurde am 11. April 2025 das neue Artenschutzhaus eröffnet
ÖTT-Tagung 2025: 20 Jahre Tierschutzgesetz – wo stehen wir?
Die 15. Tagung der Plattform Österreichische Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte für Tierschutz (ÖTT) findet am 8. Mai 2025 online statt.
Maßnahmen gegen Maul- und Klauenseuche: Grenzübergänge vorübergehend geschlossen
Erhöhte Biosicherheitsmaßnahmen für Betriebe, Importstopp für pflanzliche Futtermittel aus betroffenen Regionen, Abstimmung zwischen Behörden läuft gut
KATZENMEDIZIN #23
Die aktuelle Ausgabe des Fachmagazins für Tierärzt:innen, KATZENMEDIZIN #23, ist soeben erscheinen
Vetmeduni Vienna verschiebt den Tag der offenen Tür
Als Vorsichtsmaßnahme wegen der in der Slowakei und in Ungarn ausgebrochenen Maul- und Klauenseuche (MKS) wird der Tag der offenen Tür in den September 2025 verschoben
Tierärztekammer fordert dringende Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung der Maul- und Klauenseuche (MKS)
MKS-Ausbrüche in der Slowakei und Ungarn weiterhin nicht unter Kontrolle
Fünf Erfolge der Präparator*innen für das NHM Wien
Im Februar 2025 fand zum 14. Mal die "European Taxidermy Championships", die Europameisterschaft der Präparator*innen, in Salzburg statt
Teile diesen Bericht auf:
Buchtipps Buchtipps Buchtipps

Tierarztpraxis gründen und betreiben
(11. Jun. 2025) Der Leitfaden für die Selbstständigkeit in der Tiermedizin…Suchterkrankung beim Hund
(3. Jun. 2025) Suchterkrankung beim Hund - gibt es das? Offenbar…Wildtierfindlinge in der Tierarztpraxis
(27. Mai. 2025) Grundlagen der Wildtierhilfe, praktische Anwendung, tierärztliche Versorgung -…The Equine Distal Limb
(22. Mai. 2025) An Atlas of Clinical Anatomy and Comparative Imaging-…Tiergestützte Interventionen in der Psychiatrie
(16. Mai. 2025) Grundlagen, Methoden und Praxis der tiergestützten Interventionen in…Laser Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: Photobiomodulation
(9. Mai. 2025) A comprehensive, up-to-date reference to the clinical applications…Internationale Veranstaltungen Int. Veranstaltungen Internationale Veranstaltungen

SIVEMAP 2025
(31. Mär. 2025) Die SASAP (Serbian Association of Small Animal Practitioners)…EVECC-Kongress 2025
(1. Mär. 2025) Der 22. European Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care…FECAVA EuroCongress 2025 in Antwerpen
(17. Feb. 2025) FECAVA lädt Sie vom 3. bis 6. September…Yaboumba Weltkongress 2025
(17. Feb. 2025) Der XV. Internationale Kongress für Medizin und Chirurgie…Webinar zum World Veterinary Dermatology Day…
(13. Jan. 2025) Die World Association for Veterinary Dermatology lädt am…Hill's Global Symposium 2024
(20. Okt. 2024) Hosted by Hill's Pet Nutrition on Oct. 24-25…Preise und Stipendien Preise und Stipendien Preise und Stipendien
