According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, there is currently no evidence to suggest that this virus is circulating in animals in Canada. The CVMA also mentions that “Although data is still limited, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is not aware of any reports worldwide of any animal getting sick after exposure to a human case, despite the large outbreak in humans. The current spread of COVID-19 is as a result of human to human transmission”.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health “there is no evidence that pets play a role in transmitting the disease to humans. Scientists are still trying to understand if and how it affects animals. This is an area that continues to be studied”.
It is recommended that residents take as many precautions as possible and when it comes to Covid-19. As part of those precautions, residents should try to keep their pets from mixing with those from other households. We also recommend thorough hand-washing after handling pets and upon returning home from outdoor excursions and that residents avoid touching their face except with freshly washed hands.
The CVMA has also provided information on its website on precautionary measures around animals on their website.
In light of inquiries of this nature, Ottawa Public Health will be updating their website to include information relating to pets and their care.
