Cats can catch coronavirus, study finds, prompting WHO investigation

A woman wearing a mask and gloves feeds cats during a lockdown to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 4. (AP Photo)

REUTERS - Cats can become infected with the new coronavirus, but dogs appear not to be vulnerable, according to a study published on Wednesday, prompting the WHO to say it will take a closer look at transmission of the virus between humans and pets.

The study, published on the website of the journal Science, found that ferrets can also become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the scientific term for the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.