A new study is the first to document likely cat-to-human virus transmission, but risks are low overall, experts say.

A veterinarian in Thailand seemingly contracted the coronavirus from an contaminated pet cat final 12 months, researchers concluded in a brand new examine. It’s the first documented case of suspected cat-to-human transmission, though specialists stress that the danger of cats infecting people with the virus stays low total.

One of many cat’s two house owners, who each had Covid-19, in all probability handed the virus to the cat, which then sneezed within the veterinarian’s face, in accordance with the paper, which was written by scientists at Thailand’s Prince of Songkla College. Genomic sequencing confirmed that the cat and all three folks have been contaminated with an similar model of the virus, which was not widespread within the native inhabitants on the time.

Cats are way more more likely to catch the virus from folks than to transmit it to them, scientists say. However the case is a reminder that people who find themselves contaminated with the virus ought to take precautions round their pets — and that veterinarians and shelter staff who could come into contact with contaminated animals ought to do the identical, mentioned Dr. Scott Weese, an infectious illnesses veterinarian on the College of Guelph in Ontario.

“When issues develop into human illnesses, we too usually neglect every part else,” he mentioned. “I believe it’s necessary for us to acknowledge this virus nonetheless can transfer between species.”

Earlier analysis has proven that pet house owners can infect their cats and that, in sure situations, cats can transmit the virus to one another. But it surely has been tough to show that cat-to-human transmission occurs in pure settings. (Mink, hamsters and deer have been reported to unfold the virus to people.)

The brand new paper appeared this week within the journal Rising Infectious Ailments, which is revealed by the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. It makes a powerful case for cat-to-human transmission, Dr. Weese mentioned: “They’ve acquired a reasonably good story right here.”

On Aug. 4, a father and son in Bangkok developed signs of Covid-19 and subsequently examined optimistic for the virus. Due to a scarcity of hospital beds in Bangkok, the 2 males have been transported on Aug. 8 to a hospital in Songkhla, a province in southern Thailand, by way of a 20-hour ambulance experience. For causes which can be unclear, they introduced their pet cat.

When the lads have been admitted to the hospital, the cat was despatched to a veterinary hospital for an examination. Though the cat gave the impression to be wholesome, the veterinarian, a 32-year-old girl, collected nasal and rectal swabs, which examined optimistic for the virus. Whereas the veterinarian was swabbing the cat’s nostril, the animal sneezed in her face. (The veterinarian was sporting gloves and a masks in the course of the examination, however no face protect or eye safety.)

On Aug. 13, the veterinarian developed Covid-19 signs, together with a fever and a cough. Shortly thereafter, she examined optimistic for the virus.

Genomic sequencing revealed that the cat’s house owners, the cat and the veterinarian have been all contaminated with the identical model of the Delta variant, which was distinct from viral samples taken from different sufferers in Songkhla on the time.

P.C.R. testing means that the cat had a excessive viral load on the time of its veterinary examination. Not one of the veterinarian’s shut contacts are identified to have had Covid-19 on the time, and he or she had no prior encounters with the pet’s house owners, including assist to the idea that the cat was the supply of the veterinarian’s an infection. (It was not clear whether or not she met with the house owners later.)

The C.D.C. recommends that people who find themselves contaminated with the virus keep away from contact with their pets. “For those who’re making an attempt to avoid folks since you’re doubtlessly infectious,” Dr. Weese mentioned, “simply attempt to avoid animals on the similar time.”