‘Very little risk’ that pets can infect owners with COVID, WHO says

By Stabroek News On In World |
One of two puppies rescued last week by local non-governmental organisation Paws for a Cause. The organisation has invited voting on names on its Facebook page. (Paws for a Cause photo)
One of two puppies rescued last week by local non-governmental organisation Paws for a Cause. The organisation has invited voting on names on its Facebook page. (Paws for a Cause photo)

GENEVA (Reuters) – There is ‘very little risk’ that pets can infect their owners with COVID-19, the chief scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist, told a Geneva news conference that felines, ferrets and “even tigers” have been infected with the disease. “There is very little risk from domestic animals because there was some concern about domestic animals becoming a source of infection,” she said.