Covid-19: Don’t abandon your cat because of unproven scientific research, experts say

After a study found Covid-19 antibodies in the bloodstreams of both pet and stray cats in Wuhan, social media users were quick to suggest bloodthirsty ways to neutralise the ‘threat’. But scientists say there is no evidence to suggest the coronavirus can pass from cats to humans, and people should be more concerned about making their animals sick than vice versa. — SCMP

Experts from Hong Kong and Britain have urged cat owners and the public in general not to overreact to unverified scientific reports suggesting they might be at risk of contracting Covid-19 from their feline companions.

Dirk Pfeiffer, chair professor of One Health at Hong Kong City University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, made his appeal after Chinese social media users suggested the country’s stray cats be exterminated to eliminate the risk, as was the case with poultry infected with bird flu.