Making it likely the first known instance of human-to-animal transmission, the pet dog of a coronavirus patient in Hong Kong was confirmed to be infected with the disease.
According to international media, the pet dog which belongs to a 60-year-old woman patient, was tested weak positive for the virus which indicates a low level of infection. Tests confirmed the virus in the pet’s nasal and oral cavities.
"The department will continue to closely monitor the dog ... and repeat the test later. It will only be returned to its owner when the test result is negative,”Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.
All pets of people in Hong Kong infected will be quarantined for 14 days. Two dogs are already in isolation. Hong Kong has 103 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has reported two deaths due to the coronavirus.