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Coronavirus can infect cats — dogs, not so much

But scientists say it’s unclear whether felines can spread the virus to people, so pet owners need not panic yet.
  1. Smriti Mallapaty
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Cats can be infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and can spread it to other cats, but dogs are not really susceptible to the infection, say researchers in China. The team, at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, also concludes that chickens, pigs and ducks are not likely to catch the virus.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-00984-8

References

  1. Shi, J. et al. Preprint at bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.30.015347 (2020).

  2. Martina, B. E. E. et al. Nature 425, 915 (2003).

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