The First Domestic Pet Infection Case: Kitten at Jinju International Prayer Center

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] The first pet confirmed to have contracted the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea was revealed to be a cat at the Jinju International Prayer Center in Gyeongnam.

According to government officials on the 24th, during the epidemiological investigation of the Jinju International Prayer Center, where a cluster infection occurred, the quarantine authorities confirmed the cat's positive diagnosis on the 21st.

At the Jinju International Prayer Center, starting with 29 visitors who tested positive after visiting on the 11th, more than 100 confirmed cases have been reported to date.

During the epidemiological investigation by the quarantine authorities, a mother and daughter staying at the Jinju International Prayer Center were raising three cats in total: a mother cat and two kittens. The cat that tested positive this time was one of the kittens.

The mother and daughter who raised the cats had tested positive for COVID-19. Accordingly, the quarantine authorities believe it is highly likely that the cat was infected by the mother and daughter.

A government official stated, "Cases of pets such as cats being infected have been confirmed abroad as well, but experts assess that the possibility of pets transmitting COVID-19 to humans is very low."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, "During the epidemiological investigation of a recent cluster infection case, the quarantine authorities confirmed that a pet was infected with COVID-19."

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