Back in February, there were reports of a dog in China that was thought to have been infected with the particular strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from his infected human companion. Researchers at Duke University have confirmed the first known positive test result for the virus that causes COVID-19 in a domestic, family dog in the US.
A Pug Named Winston Becomes First Dog in the US to Test Positive for the Virus that Causes COVID-19
Winston is an adorable pug who lives with his family in Chapel Hill, NC. His entire family took part in a COVID-19 study at local Duke University. The mom, Heather McLean, is a pediatrician at Duke who tested positive for the virus. Additionally, the father and son who all live in the same household tested positive as well. Two dogs, including Winston, and the family cat were also tested. Of those pets, only Winston tested positive. (The family also has a pet lizard, which was not tested.)
Why a Dog Was Tested in the First Place
We do not have accurate data on how many domestic animals are carrying or infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The US is facing a massive problem with it comes to testing supplies. In fact, less than 2% of Americans have received a test at all. So why did Winston and the other pets in this household get tested?
The family took part in the Molecular and Epidemiological Study of Suspected Infection (MESSI) research study conducted by Duke University on April 1. WRAL spoke to Heather McClean about it. “They all came out to our house and did blood samples,” McLean said of the study. “For the humans, they swabbed our noses as well as our mouths, and for the animals, they did oral swabs for both dogs and the cat.”
Researchers are trying to learn all that they can about this virus, how it spreads, how it impacts those infected, and above all, how to contain it. The son, Ben McClean told CBS News, “There may be more animals that have coronavirus, there just isn’t any testing. Obviously those tests should be going to people rather than pets, but because we were part of a research study, we found out about Winston.” Mom Heather McClean reported that Winston has mild symptoms.
Close Contact with an Infected Human Plays a Role
The family dog in China that was found to be carrying the virus that causes COVID-19 was reportedly in very close contact with his human companion who was infected. It seems that Winston was in the same situation with his human family members who were all infected. Ben McClean told WRAL, who originally published the story, that Winston “licks all of our dinner plates and sleeps in my mom’s bed, and we’re the ones who put our faces into his face. So, it makes sense that he got” the virus.”
Until We Know More, Protect Your Dogs, But Don’t Panic
So far, it seems that animals infected with this strain of the coronavirus show little to no symptoms and are not at risk for serious health concerns, including fatality. However, the fact is, we don’t know the real risks. That is why the CDC is recommending that infected humans isolate themselves from their pets. Further, the CDC is recommending that people protect dogs by practicing social distancing in public. Avoid dog parks and maintain 6 feet of space between your dog(s) and other dogs.
Heather McClean told WRAL that Winston was sick for a few days but has gotten much better. She is a doctor herself and told WRAL, “Hopefully we’ll learn more through the research study, and I think because there’s not a lot of studies and sampling pets, we just don’t know yet. My advice is just not to get too worried about it,” McLean said.
For more information on safely handling pets during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to practice social distancing with your dog, please visit the CDC website.
H/T WRAL.com
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