Reference News Network reported on March 28 that on March 27 local time, Belgian public health agency said that a pet cat in Liege in the country was diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia.
According to the British Sun on March 27, Belgian authorities said the pet cat had symptoms of dyspnea and researchers found COVID-19 in its feces, the first confirmed pet infection case in Europe.
Belgian health officials said the cat was infected with the novel coronavirus from its owner.
reported that in Hong Kong, China, there are also cases where two dogs have been infected with the novel coronavirus pneumonia. "(Researchers) have found the novel coronavirus in cat feces," said Steven Gucht of the Belgian Institute of Health. He added: "The infected cat lives with its owner, who has symptoms of infection a week before the cat is infected." Gucht stressed that this is "a separate case" and added that "no indication is that this is common." He described the symptoms of the animal: "The cat has symptoms of diarrhea, constant vomiting and difficulty breathing." The Belgian health authorities said the pet cat suffers from "temporary respiratory and digestive diseases."
They added: "So far, there is no evidence that the virus is transmitted from pets to humans or other pets."
However, Belgian authorities also said that animal owners in the country should contact their veterinarian if they believe their beloved pets may have been infected. Belgian health authorities have also urged infected people to limit their time with their pets and wash their hands before and after contacting them.
A spokesman for the Belgian National Animal Protection Commission said: "The transmission of (viral) is transmitted from humans to cats, not from cats."
At the same time, the World Health Organization insists that "there is no evidence that dogs, cats or any pets can transmit the new coronavirus to humans."