More than 20 dogs in Washington state have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.
In total, 23 canines were shown to have evidence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a study conducted by the University of Washington, reported Newsweek.
The dogs were sampled as part of the University’s COVID-19 and Pets Study.
While other dogs and cats have tested positive for the novel virus before, these were the first pet cases in Washington.
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"In all, 23 samples tested positive for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, and while these are the first cases of a pet testing positive in Washington, they are not the first in the U.S., as there have been numerous reports nationally of companion animals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2," read a press release issued by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
The researchers noted how this shows further evidence of humans transmitting the virus to pets.
"These results indicate that COVID-infected humans are able to transmit the virus to animals living in the same household,” wrote Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, Principal Investigator for the study. “While we don't have evidence that this poses a risk to other humans, we are recommending that COVID-infected persons take steps to reduce the risk of infecting their pets."
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According to Rabinowitz, as many as 50 dogs were sampled and owners reported that “often the dogs had shown signs of illness.”
The Washington State Department of Agriculture maintains that it's still unclear if the dogs actually had the virus.
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“It's important to note that these dogs showed signs of exposure to the virus, but that does not mean they had the virus,” Hector Castor, a spokesperson for the state agency told the outlet.
"Mainly, we wanted to alert pet owners so they could take precautions if they test positive for COVID-19."
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