The spokesperson for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) revealed that a dog has tested positive for ‘low level’ coronavirus disease or (COVID-19).
On February 26, the dog of a patient who tested positive for COVID-19 was supposed to handled by the AFCD.
A staff picked up the dog at the house of the patient and sent the animal to Hong Kong Port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
“Oral, nasal and rectal samples were collected for testing of COVID-19 virus. The nasal and oral cavity samples were tested weak positive to COVID-19 virus. The dog does not have any relevant symptoms,” the statement said.
The dog is now under quarantine in an animal facility.
The Hong Kong government said that the staff is stepping up efforts to disinfect the facility.
No evidence yet which would show that animals can also be infected with COVID-19.
A series of tests will be done to reconfirm if the dog will show positive results again for the virus.
“The department strongly advise mammalian pets of patients confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19 virus to be put under quarantine by the AFCD. The pets will be delivered to the designated animal keeping facilities of the AFCD for quarantine and veterinary surveillance for 14 days. Samples will be collected for testing of COVID-19 virus as appropriate,” the statement added.
