A doctor has revealed which pets are more likely to catch coronavirus.
TV doctor Amir Khan said it’s long been known pets can catch coronavirus, with cats and ferrets particularly vulnerable.
He explained animals only get ‘very mild symptoms’ and there is ‘no evidence they can pass it on’ to humans.
It comes after cats and dogs in South Korea were given free coronavirus tests following a kitten in the southern city of Jinju testing positive for COVID-19.
The GP was quick to allay fears of the virus transmitting from pet to humans saying people shouldn’t worry about catching it from animals.
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He said: “This may worry a lot of people as it’s long been known pets can get coronavirus particularly cats and ferrets.
“It’s the shape of the receptor the virus binds to, it’s very similar in cats and ferrets that it is in humans.
“What it’s really important to state is that there is no evidence that pets or animals can pass coronavirus to humans, it’s the other way round, they are at risk of getting it from us.
“They could pass it to other animals as well, but you mustn't worry about catching it from your pet.”
Cats and dogs in South Korea will be tested for COVID-19 if they are exposed to someone with the virus and show suspicious symptoms.
If a pet tests positive for coronavirus its owner must also self-isolate, according to the regulations.
However Dr Khan added: “Most of the evidence around coronavirus in animals suggests they only get very mild symptoms as well because I know people will be worried about their pets.
“I don’t think we need to rush into anything like testing pets and animals, I think the important focus is getting the infection rates down in humans.
“My advice really is try not to be worried, it’s mild symptoms in pets only and you can’t get it from them.”
