Focus Taiwan
Date: 03/01/2020
By: Chang Hsiung-feng and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, March 1 (CNA) There is no evidence that pets or other domestic animals have been infected with COVID-19 coronavirus or could spread it to humans, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said in a statement issued Sunday.

The COA issued the statement after the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in Hong Kong issued a notice that a dog living in the home of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 had tested positive a week earlier for the virus.

Both the World Organization for Animal Health and the World Health Organization have said there is no evidence that pets such as cats and dogs could become infected or transmit the virus, according to the COA.

The pet dog, which was under quarantine, had nasal and oral samples that were confirmed as "weak-positive" for the virus, although its anal samples tested negative for the virus and the dog has not shown any symptoms, according to the COA.    [FULL  STORY]