“In summary, we found that ferrets and cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 [which causes Covid-19], dogs have low susceptibility, and livestock including pigs, chickens, and ducks are not susceptible to the virus. But its too early to draw any conclusion on whether cats can contract the infection in natural conditions (non-experimental) and whether they can infect humans. “That is the most probable hypothesis in how the virus may have transmitted from bats to humans. “The study is significant because it shows that cats and ferrets could be reservoirs for the virus. But we can’t say yet whether they can transmit the infection to humans because the density of cats is not as high.

Source: Hindustan Times April 02, 2020 18:20 UTC