Overview
Administration
CU Symbols
GREEN UNIVERSITY
CONTACT
Programs
Admissions
Exchange Student
Academic Units
Life at CU
Academic Services
Medical Services
Quality Assurance Services
Information Services
Creative Space
CU News
13 April 2020
By: Kanokwan Yimjoo
As the COVID-19 virus causes panic and fear across the world, a more shocking news has emerged following the detection of coronavirus in a dog that belongs to a COVID-19 patient in Hong Kong.
So, can our companion animals catch the virus if they are in close contact with a detected human? Can pets spread the virus among themselves? Also, should we social distance ourselves from our dogs and cats?
Professor Dr. Roongroje Thanawongnuwech, Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University shares his thoughts on the recent discovery, “Over 80% of emerging diseases found in humans actually come from the wildlife. For instance, now we know for certain that the COVID-19 virus has originated from bats. However, it is still unclear whether there are any other animals involved in the transmission of the infection from bats to humans.”
The case of a pet dog testing positive for COVID-19 in Hong Kong has not yet been identified as a case of infection, as the viral genome level detected was rather low and there is no evidence of dogs spreading the disease back to humans.
Professor Dr. Roongroje explains the mechanism behind the spread of the virus, pointing out that “Human cells act as receptors, like locks, whereas the virus is the key. To get infected, there needs to be 3 identical genetic linings. Meanwhile, there is only 1 out of 3 genetic lining matches between humans and pet dogs or cats. Therefore, the dog detected with a small volume of the virus is regarded as a contamination, not an infection.”
Professor Dr. Roongroje ThanawongnuwechDean of Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University
Nonetheless, we should remain extra careful, warns Professor Dr. Roongroje. “If you are in the high-risk group or a COVID-19 patient, apart from isolating yourself from your family members, you should also give some distance between you and your pets”, says Professor Dr. Roongroje.
We may not spread the COVID-19 virus to our pets directly, but our pets may carry the virus from other humans to us. “You should be more cautious when taking your pets for a walk outside during the pandemic. Most dogs like to sniff and lick, and the virus can be anywhere in the environment. Let’s say there’s a used surgical mask laying around outside and your dog happens to lick the mask. It is possible for the virus to be transmitted back to humans when we touch our pet.”
Other precautions include avoiding contact with livestock animals such as pigs, chickens, and cows.
“Although there is no proven research to support whether the virus can be transmitted from humans to animals, we should still be careful as this may lead to the re-transmission of virus from animals back to humans in the future”, says Professor Dr. Roongroje.
Commemorative Walk-Run for His Majesty and 50th Anniversary of Chula’s Environmental Research Institute
Chula’s Faculty of Medicine Partners with Matria for Sustainable Healthcare Innovation
Chulalongkorn University and Department of Industrial Promotion Announce Success in Boosting Cocoa Value with Technology and Innovation
The Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association invites you to the 2024 King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day, “CU Power of One: Uniting for Society”
Chulalongkorn University Partners with VICTOR SPORTS (THAILAND) to Support Badminton Equipment
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Presents Certificates to Vela Course Graduates, Class 1 and 2
Chula is the place to discover one’s true individuality and the years I spent here were most enjoyable. Rossukhon Kongket Alumni, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Chula is the place to discover one’s true individuality and the years I spent here were most enjoyable.
Rossukhon Kongket Alumni, Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University
This website uses cookies to personalize content, provide the best user experience, and improve Chula website services.
ท่านสามารถเลือกการตั้งค่าคุกกี้โดยเปิด/ปิด คุกกี้ในแต่ละประเภทได้ตามความต้องการ ยกเว้น คุกกี้ที่จำเป็น
ประเภทของคุกกี้ที่มีความจำเป็นสำหรับการทำงานของเว็บไซต์ เพื่อให้คุณสามารถใช้เว็บไซต์ได้อย่างเป็นปกติ ท่านไม่สามารถปิดการทำงานของคุกกี้นี้ในระบบเว็บไซต์ของเราได้
คุกกี้ประเภทนี้จะทำการเก็บข้อมูลพฤติกรรมการใช้งานเว็บไซต์ของคุณ โดยมีจุดประสงค์คือนำข้อมูลมาวิเคราะห์เพื่อปรับปรุงและพัฒนาเว็บไซต์ให้มีคุณภาพ และสร้างประสบการณ์ที่ดีกับผู้ใช้งาน เพื่อให้เกิดประโยชน์สูงสุด หากท่านไม่ยินยอมให้เราใช้คุกกี้นี้ เราอาจไม่สามารถวัดผลเพื่อการปรับปรุงและพัฒนาเว็บไซต์ให้ดีขึ้นได้ Cookies Details