What arecoronaviruses?The CDC defines coronaviruses as “alarge family of viruses that are commonin people and many different species ofanimals. Rarely, animal coronavirusescan infect people and then spreadbetween people.”

How is COVID-19(coronavirus) spread?The CDC says the disease is spread tohumans through person-to personcontact. There have been no reports ofpets or livestock becoming ill orspreading the coronavirus in the U.S.

Wash your hands often with soap andwater.Avoid touching your nose, eyes andmouth with unwashed hands.Avoid close contact with people who aresick.Stay home when you are sick.Cover your coughs and sneezes.Disinfect all surfaces that are frequentlyused.Vaccinate your pets for all other potentialdiseases, as recommended by yourveterinarian.Limit contact with your pets if you orsomeone you are close to contracts thecoronavirus.

What is the best way to protectyour pet? PROTECTING

YOURSELF,YOUR PETS

AND THECOMMUNITY

FROMCOVID-19

CAN ICONTRACTCOVID-19FROM MYPET?

While this virus seems to have emergedfrom an animal source, the CDC believesthere’s no reason to think any animals,including pets in the U.S. might be asource of infection.

To date, CDC has not received reports ofcompanion animals sick with thecoronavirus, and there’s no evidencethey will be able to spread it to humansin the future. However, since animalscan spread other diseases, it’s always agood idea to wash your hands afterbeing around them.

Currently, there is no vaccine for COVID-19, for people or pets. Any animalshowing serious illness needs to beseen by a veterinarian.

Do we need to take extraprecautions with animalsthat have recently beenimported from China, orother infected countries?There is no evidence that animals oranimal products imported from Chinaor other countries pose a risk ofspreading coronavirus in the U.S.

All animals imported from infectedcountries will need to meet CDC andUSDA requirements for entering theU.S. At this time, there is no evidencethat companion animals including petscan spread the coronavirus. Anyanimals recently imported from Chinaor other countries affected by thecoronavirus should be observed dailyfor signs of illness.

If an animal becomes ill, the CDCrecommends bringing the animal to aveterinarian as soon as possible. Callyour local veterinary clinic beforebringing the animal into the clinic andlet them know that the animal wasrecently in an infected country.

Can my pet contract thecoronavirus from aninfected person?The CDC says anyone who is sick with thecoronavirus should restrict contact withany animals just like you would aroundother people. If you or another familymember contracts the virus, the CDCrecommends having another member ofyour household care for your animal.

Avoid petting, snuggling, being kissed orlicked, and sharing food. If you must carefor your pet or be around animals whileyou are sick, wash your hands before andafter you interact with pets and wear afacemask.

Reproduced by permission of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association