By Liu Pei-fen and Dennis Xie / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe WHO on Wednesday posted a statement on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo, debunking rumors that dogs and cats could contract or transmit the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). “No current evidence shows that domestic pets, such as dogs and cats, could catch the novel coronavirus,” the post said in Mandarin. Some online commenters said Chinese media were promoting panic, as they reportedly exaggerated Li’s statement to mean that pets could spread the virus, when Li had said that pets that have had contact with people infected by 2019-nCoV should be quarantined. Worried pet owners could keep their animals away from crowded places and carefully spray them with disinfectant with 75 percent alcohol content to remove bacteria and germs after being outside, Taiwan Animal Protection Monitor Network said, citing a veterinarian’s suggestions. However, owners should avoid the eyes, mouth, nose and any open wounds when applying a disinfectant, it added.

Source: Taipei Times February 01, 2020 15:56 UTC