6-year-old dog is second in U.S. to test positive for COVID-19, GA health officials say
Georgia has confirmed its first case of coronavirus in a pet dog, state health officials announced Wednesday.
USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory first reported the presumptive positive result, the Georgia Department of Public Health said in a news release.
The dog is believed to be only the second in the nation to test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
“The 6-year-old mixed breed dog developed sudden onset of neurological illness which progressed rapidly over the course of a couple of days, and was humanely euthanized,” according to the news release, though health officials later determined the neurological illness “was caused by another condition.”
Georgia DPH said the dog’s owners recently tested positive for the coronavirus and “out of an abundance of caution,” the pooch was tested, too.
While the dog was confirmed to have COVID-19, public health officials say the risk of an animal passing the infection to humans remains relatively low.
However, officials say humans who’ve tested positive for the virus should be careful around pets, so as not to expose them.
“If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wear a cloth face covering and wash your hands before and after you interact with them,” according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC also says to avoid petting, snuggling and sleeping in the same bed as your pets while sick and recommends having someone else watch your four-legged friends while you’re on the mend.
As of Wednesday, there were more than 2.6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and over 127,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Georgia has reported more than 84,000 cases in the state, and 2,400 people have died, as of July 1, according to state health records.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 5:45 PM.