Answer Bank: How to protect your pets if you have COVID-19

Panic struck the public recently when a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City tested positive for the coronavirus. According to local news, the tiger is believed to have been infected by a zoo employee who was "asymptomatically infected with the virus" while caring for it, drawing people's attention to the topic of how to protect your pets or animals if you are sick with COVID-19.  

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), testing for companion animals will only be done if animal and public health officials agree that there's a link to a known human case of COVID-19. There will not be widespread testing done for general companion animal population.  

Although there have been no reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States, people should still be on alert as a previous case showed a dog in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tested "weakly" positive for SAR-CoV-2 during quarantine and then died three days after returning home. 

It's recommended that people who have COVID-19, or are suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms, should limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. The following protective suggestions of pets are appropriate for those who have COVID-19:  

1. Have another family member take care of your pets while you are sick. 
2. Avoid contact with your pets, including petting, snuggling, kissing or licking and sharing food. 
3. If you must take care of your pets or be around them, wash your hands before and after you interact with them. 

Meanwhile, if you observe that your pets or animals have developed any COVID-19 symptoms, it's encouraged that you consult your veterinarian.