If You Have Animals

If You Have Animals

Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019/daily-life

Key Points

1. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others cause illness in certain types of animals.
2. Some coronaviruses that infect animals can sometimes be spread to people, but this is rare.
3. We do not know the exact source of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first infections were thought to be linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now primarily spreading from person to person.
4. The first case of an animal testing positive for the virus in the United States was a tiger that had a respiratory illness at a zoo in New York City.
5. We do not have evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to people or that they might be a source of infection in the United States.
6. CDC is aware of a very small number of pets outside the United States reportedexternal icon to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after close contact with people with COVID-19.
7. Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.
8. Further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by the virus that causes COVID-19 as well as how this might affect human health.
9. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
10. For more information, see COVID-19 and Animals Frequently Asked Questions.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect humans.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Guidance and Recommendations

11. Interim Guidance for Public Health Professionals Managing People with COVID-19 in Home Care and Isolation Who Have Pets or Other Animals
12. Interim recommendations for intake of companion animals from households where humans with COVID-19 are presentexternal icon
13. Evaluation for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Animals[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Related Resources

14. COVID-19 and Animals FAQs
15. Information on Bringing an Animal into the United States
16. World Organisation for Animal Health: Q&As on COVID-19external icon
17. USDA: Coronavirus Disease 2019external icon
18. FDA: Coronavirus Disease 2019external iconicon[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]