First cat infected with the new coronavirus detected in Spain

08/05/2020

Researchers from the Centre for Animal Health Research (CReSA) of the Institute for Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) and the UAB have detected the first cat in Spain to be infected with the new coronavirus. This marks the sixth cat worldwide reported to be carrying the virus. The cat belonged to a family in which several of its members have had COVID-19. “The chain of transmission of the virus goes from humans to cats, and these are the collateral victims of the disease in humans”, states Joaquim Segalés, IRTA-CReSA researcher and professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), who remarks that “the main transmission route of COVID-19 is from human to human, and the capacity of transmission of cats is negligible; in other words, they do not play a relevant role in the epidemiology of the disease”.

Now that coronavirus infections are widespread throughout human populations, “it is possible that animals become infected when they are in close contact with people carrying the virus,” affirms Natàlia Majó, director of CReSA and lecturer at the professora de la UAB. Scientific studies published until now point to the fact that cats are one of the animal species that can become infected with SARS-CoV-2; other species include ferrets, minks, hamsters, non-human primates and, to a lesser extent, dogs. “Right now, however, few studies focus on the susceptibility to coronavirus of different animal species and on the dynamics of the infection in these vulnerable species”, Majó states.

A cat with severe heart disease

The animal was admitted to the veterinary hospital. He was having great difficulty in breathing, with a rectal temperature of 38.2ºC, very low level of platelets and heart failure. He was put down to avoid any more suffering. Later, the cat was sent to CreSA where a necropsy was performed. This centre of research includes a Biocontention Unit prepared to work with coronavirus thanks to a biosafety level 3. The necropsy demonstrated that the cat suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, generally of a genetic origin, and its severe heart failure was due to a pulmonary edema with congestion and hemorrhaging. In addition, researchers detected genetic material (RNA) of SARS-CoV-2 in samples taken from the cat's nose and mesenteric lymph nodes (in charge of draining the intestine); there was however a low viral charge and none of the animal's lesions were compatible with an infection from the virus. For that reason, Segalés concludes that “the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 in this animal was incidental and was not related to the clinical symptomatology for which it was euthanised”.

How can we protect our animals from coronavirus?

In accordance with the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE), researchers recommend that those infected with the virus who have pets at home should follow basic hygiene measures such as wahsing their hands before and after coming in contact with their pets or touching their food or toys, as well as avoiding kisses, licks and sharing our food with them. If possible, all direct contact should be avoided while infected with COVID-19.

How can we detect if our cat is infected?

Although the symptoms caused by COVID-19 in animals is uncertain and the possibility of becoming infected is very low, some symptoms such as fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, sneezing, vomits, diarrhea or lethargy are clinical signs that the animal could be infected with SARS-CoV-2. Researchers at CReSA recommend that when in doubt it is best to consult a veterinary.