June 3, 2020 -- The National Veterinary Services Laboratories of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 in a dog.
The pet, a German shepherd in New York, was tested after it showed signs of respiratory illness. One of the dog's owners tested positive for COVID-19, and the other showed signs consistent with the virus. Another dog in the home showed no signs of illness but antibodies were identified in that dog, according to the agency.
SARS-CoV-2 infections have been reported globally in a small number of animals, mostly in animals that had close contact with a person who had COVID-19. Routine testing of animals had not been recommended, but state and local animal health and public health officials will work with the USDA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine whether they should.
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