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 Publication statusActive
Active Last checked 2026-10-05 03:30:31 Source: NCBI PubMed

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 23 coronavirus disease 15 COVID-19 470 Felis silvestris catus 1 pandemic 16 respiratory infections 31 reverse zoonosis 38 SARS-CoV-2 556 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 20 transmission 56 viruses 120 zoonoses 482 Cats 122 Animals 1981 Belgium 4 COVID-19 427 Female 295 Humans 1455 Viral Zoonoses 66

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