The virus responsible for Covid-19 has been detected in a pet cat in the UK for the first time.
The infection was confirmed following tests last week.
There is no evidence to suggest that the animal was involved in transmission of the disease to its owners or that pets can transmit the virus to people.
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Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said it was “very rare” for a cat to contract the virus.
To date infected animals show only mild signs of the disease and recover within a few days.
Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England, said: “This is the first case of a domestic cat testing positive for Covid-19 in the UK but should not be a cause for alarm.
The investigation into this case suggests that the infection was spread from humans to animal, and not the other way round.
At this time, there is no evidence that pets can transmit the disease to humans.”
Experts said the available evidence suggested that the cat contracted Covid-19 from its owners, who had previously tested positive.
All, including the cat, have since made a full recovery.
Public Health England advises people to wash their hands regularly, including before and after contact with animals.
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A circus performer from the Association of Circus Proprietors in Whitehall, London. The association handed a petition to Downing Street to ask Prime Minister Boris Johnson to allow circuses to reopen
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Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland, which re-opened to the public after being closed due to the coronavirus lockdown
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Reuters
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Tony Bennett the owner of The Devereux pub in Temple, London. Pub and hospitality bosses have cheered the Government’s proposals to allow customers through their doors again on July 4 as “a welcome relief”. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 23, 2020. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that pubs, restaurants and cinemas will be able to reopen from July 4, with “one metre-plus” distancing measures in place
PA
35/50 22 June 2020
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PA
36/50 21 June 2020
Soccer Football – Premier League – Everton v Liverpool – Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain – June 21, 2020 Children play football outside the stadium before the match, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Action Images via Reuters
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AP
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PA
42/50 15 June 2020
Queues form at Primark at the Rushden Lakes shopping complex after the government relaxed coronavirus lockdown laws significantly, allowing zoos, safari parks and non-essential shops to open to visitors
Getty
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A man kneels at a commemoration to mark the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire in London. The fire claimed 72 lives on 14 June 2017
PA
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Protesters confront police in Whitehall near Parliament Square, during a protest by the Democratic Football Lads Alliance
PA
45/50 12 June 2020
A Black Lives Matter supporter sings to crowds who marched with her in front of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square in London. The death of an African American man, George Floyd, while in the custody of Minneapolis police has sparked protests across the United States, as well as demonstrations of solidarity in many countries around the world
Getty
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Scouts show their support at the Lord Baden-Powell statue in Poole. The statue of Robert Baden-Powell on Poole Quay is to be placed in “safe storage” following concerns about his racial views
Getty
47/50 10 June 2020
Social distancing markers around the penguin enclosure at London Zoo. Staff have been preparing and are now ready for reopening next week with new signage, one-way trails for visitors to follow, and extra handwashing and sanitiser stations in place
PA
48/50 9 June 2020
Protestors hold placards and shout slogans during during a protest called by the Rhodes Must Fall campaign calling for the removal of the statue of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes outside Oriel College, at the University of Oxford
AFP via Getty
49/50 8 June 2020
Hermione Wilson helps to install a new artwork at Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh, created as a tribute to the NHS titled “A Thousand Thank Yous” originally devised by the late Allan Kaprow which consists of colourful painted messages on cardboard and has been directed remotely by London-based artist Peter Liversidge
PA
50/50 7 June 2020
The Edward Colston statue has been pulled down by Black Lives Matter protesters in Bristol. Colston was a 17th century slave trader who has numerous landmarks named after him in Bristol
SWNS
This is the first confirmed case of an animal infected with the coronavirus strain in the UK.
The case has been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
