US health authorities have confirmed the first cases of coronavirus found among two pet cats in New York state. However, they have recommended against routine testing of animals.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) announced the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in two pet cats, in New York.
The cats live in two separate areas of New York state. They had a mild respiratory illness. No individuals in the household were confirmed to be ill with COVID-19.
Novel coronavirus has been reported in a few animals worldwide, mostly in those that had close contact with an infected person.