"No Evidence of Human Transmission" First Confirmed COVID-19 Case in Pet Cat in Seoul

A cat sitting in front of the Goyang Furniture Complex in Gyeonggi. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Choyoung] Seoul City conducted COVID-19 tests on pets showing suspected symptoms after exposure to family members confirmed with COVID-19, and it was found that one cat tested positive.

According to Seoul City on the 15th, one cat belonging to a family with confirmed COVID-19 cases tested positive on the 14th. This is the first case of a pet testing positive for COVID-19 in the Seoul area.

The cat was quarantined and cared for at the Seoul Animal Welfare Support Center after the entire family tested positive and was isolated on the 10th. The cat, a 4-5 year old female, showed symptoms such as vomiting and decreased activity.

Song Euncheol, Director of the Infectious Disease Management Division of Seoul City, explained, "A sample was collected at the temporary shelter and tested at the Health and Environment Research Institute, where a first positive result was confirmed on the 14th. According to protocol, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency conducts a second test upon a pet’s first positive result, and the second test also confirmed positivity, resulting in a final confirmed diagnosis."

The cat is currently isolated and cared for at the Seoul Animal Welfare Support Center. The quarantine period is 14 days from the date of confirmation. Director Song stated, "The cat’s current condition is good. We will continue to monitor symptoms, and if no clinical symptoms appear, a detailed test will be conducted. If the result is negative, the quarantine will be lifted."

Furthermore, Seoul City emphasized that there is no evidence of COVID-19 transmission from pets to humans, so there is no need for concern.

Director Song said, "There is no evidence of COVID-19 transmission from pets to humans in overseas cases either, so there is no need to be overly anxious. However, for the safety of citizens and animals, during daily life, when walking dogs, it is important to maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from other people and animals, wear masks, and thoroughly wash hands to follow quarantine guidelines."

In Korea, the first case of a pet infected with COVID-19 was a cat owned by a confirmed patient related to the Jinju International Prayer Center in Gyeongnam, confirmed on the 24th of last month.

Meanwhile, following the confirmation of COVID-19 infection in pets domestically, Seoul City has been conducting COVID-19 tests on pet dogs and cats since the 8th. Among the tests conducted on three dogs and one cat, one cat tested positive.

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