Friday, 06 March 2020 12:01

Dog tests positive for coronavirus

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

More than 3,000 people have died from the coronavirus outbreak.

A dog has tested positive for Covid-19 in Hong Kong, but experts say people should not panic about animal to human transmission.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in Hong Kong announced earlier this week that a pet dog had repeatedly tested weak positive for Covid-19.

The dog is showing no symptoms of the illness, however, the weak positive indicates a low-level infection with the virus.

More than 3,000 people have died from the coronavirus outbreak.

Experts from the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences of the City University of Hong Kong and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have agreed unanimously that the dog has a low-level infection that was likely caused by human-to-animal transmission.

An AFCD spokesman says this is currently no evidence that pet animals can be a source of infection of Covid-19 or that the virus makes them sick.

The OIE says that the Covid-19 virus is a close relative of other coronaviruses found circulating in Rhinolophusbat (Horseshoe Bat) populations. It says it appears possible that transmission may have occurred from an intermediate host.

More like this

China No Longer Just A Commodity Story - Luxon

China remains New Zealand’s biggest market, taking $23 billion of our exports, but it’s no longer a commodity story, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Fonterra Expands China Foodservice Business with New Anchor Essence Cream

Fonterra is strengthening its foodservice presence in China with the launch of a new cream for professional bakeries at Bakery China 2026 in Shanghai.

Birth woes

OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.

China’s new beef tariffs expected to favour New Zealand exporters

Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact that, now more than ever, US farmers are being propped up by government welfare – a direct result of Trump’s hardline on its trading partners.

Featured

Rural Mobile Coverage Worse After 3G Shutdown, Survey Finds

Mobile phone coverage and reliability are deteriorating in rural areas, and farming families are bearing the cost, according to a Federated Farmers survey.

HelloFresh Launches Country Cookout Box in NZ

HelloFresh New Zealand has launched a limited-edition Country Cookout Box of Southern-inspired meals, arriving as the 2026/27 rodeo season gets underway.

Beef + Lamb NZ Inc Marks 40 Years of Red Meat Marketing

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Incorporated (BLNZ Inc) is marking 40 years of promoting red meat to New Zealand consumers, citing its taste, family meals and nutritional benefits.

Pāmu Welcomes Paige Burston as First Foundation Scholar

Pāmu has welcomed Taranaki student Paige Burston as its newest First Foundation Scholar, supporting her journey towards a career in agriculture and animal science.

Ballance Welcomes National's Policy on Securing Fertiliser Supply Contracts

Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.

Carrfields Appoints Stu Hall as Chief Operating Officer

Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.