As humans throughout the world grapple with the widespread outbreak of the novel coronavirus, a pet dog has been found to have a "low level" of the virus, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong's agriculture, fisheries and conservation department said in a statement Friday. Dogs, cats and other mammals owned as pets by confirmed coronavirus patients must now undergo a 14-day quarantine, the spokesperson added.

The department said the dog, whose owner was infected with coronavirus, tested "weak positive" for COVID-19 virus after its nasal and rectal samples were collected for testing earlier this week.

"The nasal and oral cavity samples were tested weak positive to COVID-19 virus," the department's statement read. "The dog does not have any relevant symptoms."

Despite the preliminary test result on the animal, there is no evidence to suggest pets could be infected or be a source of infection for humans, according to the statement. The department will undergo further testing on the dog to see if it's really been infected with the virus or a result of "environmental contamination" of its mouth and nose.

At the moment, officials said it's the only dog under quarantine at the animal-keeping facility at Hong Kong Port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

CBS News' Grace Qi reports veterinarians in Hong Kong are also calling for calm after the "weak positive" case was announced. Experts said it's very unlikely that pets such as dogs and cats could be infected with the coronavirus, as very few viruses can jump between species.

eduman365:
This is the problem with having pets... They can complicate the process of disease containment... Now people have to start looking out for themselves and pets as well. Double trouble....

YoungPerson:
Mosquitoes go fit spread am, no?

Onyenna:



Chooiii! I never reason go there oooh....

What if the mosquito moves from an infected person to a healthy person??.... I ain't talking about blood to blood infection Via mosquito bite cos that would likely not work..... I'm talking about a mosquito making contact with an infected person and also landing on the skin of another healthy person.....

SPLITS:
Just like Ebola, it will still be a story.
Amen

RiyaGoddess:
Those people still doing kill and eat OYO is your case ooo. Snake, Rat, Dog, Ape, Cat eaters continue...

A customer of mine is in need of a partner to share a bale of male polo top with her. Interested persons should chat me up.