'Covid unlikely to spread from pets to humans but be cautious'

Thiruvananthapuram: The animal husbandry department has said that the chance of Covid spreading from pet animals to humans and vice versa was rare, and that there was no need to panic.

When Covid cases were reported among humans, the department had collected samples from domestic animals and sent them for testing at the lab of the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal. All the test results were negative.

But the department has cautioned that precautions should be taken against zoonotic diseases while handling pets or domestic animals.

» Wash your hands properly before and after coming into contact with the animals.

» Do not have food near the cage of the animals or near the pets.

» Mandatory wear gloves, mask, and protective garments while handling infected animals or when cleaning their cage.

» It is advisable not to handle infected animals.