COVID-19: Cats May Play an Important Role in the Transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus

A study by the American Society for Microbiology reveals that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, that they can transmit the virus to other cats, and that they also engage in shedding of the virus and contamination of the environment.   To reach this conclusion, a Dutch research team conducted a risk assessment for direct and indirect transmission of the coronavirus in an experimental setting. Specifically, they exposed sixteen cats to SARS-CoV-2, which was obtained from human patients who were naturally infected or through contact with an infected cat (either directly or indirectly by placing the cat in the same enclosure). Nasal, oropharyngeal, rectal, and blood samples were collected from the animals, and environmental swabs were taken from the enclosure surfaces over a 15-day period.   The results show that direct viral transmission between cats is effective and sustained over time, and that infected cats can contaminate their environment even though the duration of contagiousness was estimated to average eight hours and then declines rapidly. The authors conclude that indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to other cats via a contaminated environment is less efficient but cannot be ruled out.   However, the scientists did not study the zoonotic risk of spread, but estimate “that owners may become infected by cats infected with SARS-CoV-2 since these animals shed the virus into the environment.” If SARS-CoV-2 is introduced into the home, the household’s cats should be considered full members of the household with regard to the circulation and transmission of the coronavirus.   However, other studies have confirmed that the risk of infection from an animal remains low, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Organisation for Animal Health. The next steps will involve assessing the susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2.