Dog tests positive for coronavirus in Hong Kong and it’s believed to be the first case of a pet catching the virus

A dog has been diagnosed with having coronavirus after contracting it from its owner in Honk Kong.

Yvonne Chow Hau Yee took her dog to a vet in the Happy Valley area of the city and results showed that the dog tested positive to the virus though it had not shown any symptoms.

The dog is now being kept in quarantine for 14 days after rectal, oral and nasal samples came back confirming it had the disease. Officials at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) ordered for the dog to be kept at Hong Kong’s only quarantine facility where its condition will be monitored and it will continue to be tested.

The AFCD said in a statement that it “does not have evidence that pet animals can be infected with Covid-19 virus or can be a source of infection to people”.

Pet owners were being reminded to get into the habit of washing their hands after touching their pets.

The incident is believed to be the first case of a pet catching the virus.