A cat is reported to have fallen ill and experts say the Covid-19 coronavirus was detected in its faeces a week after its owner contracted the disease.
According to the Brussels Times, a woman in Liege fell ill with Covid-19 and a week later her cat fell ill.
Belgium's FPS Public Health and Federal Food Agency are reported to have described the case during their daily press conference on Friday.
Professor Steven Van Gucht of Ghent University said: "The cat had diarrhoea, kept vomiting and had breathing difficulties. The researchers found the virus in the cat’s faeces."
There have been no confirmed reports of the virus passing from animals to humans.
Two pet dogs in Hong Kong have been reported to have been found carrying the disease, which is believed to have been passed to them by owners.
They showed no signs of being infected, but viral particles were found in or on them.
It has not been reported whether the cat survived its illness.
Anyone with coronavirus is advised to take extra precautions around their pets to avoid spreading the virus, including making sure to follow the standard advice about good hand washing.
Sensible precautions would include trying to keep your pets within your property.
