Once again straight out of Circus Science Central, formerly known as the UK; we have a hilarious new warning about the dreaded Covid-19.
The team from University College London say new outbreaks could occur in areas where coronavirus had previously been eradicated if it becomes more common among animals in close proximity to people – such as pet cats or dogs as well as livestock.[1]
That’s right, we should start social distancing with our pets now as well, not that there is any evidence to suggest animals can pass the virus onto humans, as the WHO point out:
Several dogs and cats (domestic cats and tigers) in contact with infected humans have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, ferrets appear to be susceptible to the infection.
In experimental conditions, both cats and ferrets were able to transmit infection to other animals of the same species.
However, there is no evidence that these animals can transmit the disease to humans and spread COVID-19.[2]
Co-author of the study out of University College London, Professor Joanne Santini said:
‘Virus transmission in animal populations could become irreversible if left unchecked, and may threaten the success of existing public health measures if people continue to catch the virus from an infected population of animals.’[1]
While I may joke about this news, there is a serious side to this warning and no, its not your cat giving you coronavirus. Because now animals have been brought into the Covid-19 equation it does mean they are at risk, livestock is at risk, your pets are at risk.
We’ve seen the total disregard for humans during this pandemic, don’t think for a second animals will be treated any better, in fact their fate is much worse. This could result in a culling of livestock like we have never seen before.
Which, aside from the morality argument, will be devastating to the agricultural industry and the supply chains.
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