US and Japanese Researchers: "COVID-19 Can Infect Cat Liver"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] A study has found that the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) can also spread among cats.

According to CNN on the 13th (local time), research by the University of Wisconsin in the United States and the University of Tokyo in Japan confirmed that felines can be infected with COVID-19 regardless of their size. However, experts stated that it has not been confirmed what role cats have played in the spread of COVID-19.

The researchers housed COVID-19 infected cats together with uninfected cats and observed the progression, confirming that all uninfected cats became infected. However, none of the cats used in the experiment showed symptoms such as fever or weight loss.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The research results were published in the international academic journal New England Journal of Medicine.

The researchers stated, "A better understanding of the economic influx into the human body is necessary to prevent infection through various routes of COVID-19."

However, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) commented on this study, saying, "It is uncertain whether transmission between cats occurs easily in real life," and "There is no evidence that naturally infected animals have transmitted COVID-19 to humans."

Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated, "The possibility of COVID-19 infection through animals is low, but considering various situations, animals can be infected by humans," and recommended, "Prevent pets from interacting with other animals outside the home, and if there is a patient in the household, pets should be quarantined just like people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.