OmniVira

SARS-CoV-2 Natural Transmission from Human to Cat, Belgium, March 2020.

Mutien Garigliany Anne-Sophie Van Laere Cécile Clercx Didier Giet Nicolas Escriou Christèle Huon Sylvie van der Werf Marc Eloit Daniel Desmecht
PMID32788033 DOI10.3201/eid2612.202223 Year2020 Journal Emerging infectious diseases Emerg Infect Dis Languageeng Statusppublish

Abstract

In March 2020, a severe respiratory syndrome developed in a cat, 1 week after its owner received positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Viral RNA was detected in the cat's nasopharyngeal swab samples and vomitus or feces; immunoglobulin against the virus was found in convalescent-phase serum. Human-to-cat transmission is suspected.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
2019 novel coronavirus disease 4 cat 22 coronavirus disease 15 COVID-19 467 Felis silvestris catus 1 pandemic 15 respiratory infections 30 reverse zoonosis 38 SARS-CoV-2 550 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 20 transmission 55 viruses 117 zoonoses 477 Cats 120 Animals 1948 Belgium 4 COVID-19 425 Female 289 Humans 1440 Viral Zoonoses 65

Evidence records

3 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
2 records · 2 evidence types
Evidence type Viral Detection
1 records
OVE4035 Viral Detection
Key finding

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in a cat's nasopharyngeal swab samples and vomitus or feces in Belgium.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
domestic cat Felis catus Natural host
Location
Belgium
Supporting text

In March 2020, a severe respiratory syndrome developed in a cat, 1 week after its owner received positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Viral RNA was detected in the cat's nasopharyngeal swab samples and vomitus or feces.

Method
RNA detection | viral RNA test | RT-PCR
Sample type
nasopharyngeal swab | vomitus | feces
Geographic raw
Belgium
Country inferred
BEL
Evidence type Serological Evidence
1 records
OVE4036 Serological Evidence
Key finding

Immunoglobulin against SARS-CoV-2 was detected in convalescent-phase serum from a cat in Belgium, indicating serological evidence of exposure.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
domestic cat Felis catus Natural host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Viral RNA was detected in the cat's nasopharyngeal swab samples and vomitus or feces; immunoglobulin against the virus was found in convalescent-phase serum.

Method
immunoglobulin detection
Sample type
serum
Transmission Evidence
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Cross-species Transmission
1 records
OVE4037 Cross-species Transmission
Key finding

Natural human-to-cat spillback of SARS-CoV-2 was suspected in Belgium in March 2020.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
domestic cat Felis catus Natural host human Homo sapiens Natural host
Location
Belgium
Supporting text

In March 2020, a severe respiratory syndrome developed in a cat, 1 week after its owner received positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Human-to-cat transmission is suspected.

Method
viral RNA detection | serology
Study design
case report of natural transmission
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
Belgium