COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2),
Hong Kong (SAR - PRC)
Information received on 24/07/2020 from Dr Thomas Sit, Chief Veterinary Officer / Assistant Director (Inspection & Quarantine), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong , Hong Kong (SAR - PRC)
Summary
Report type Immediate notification
Date of start of the event 21/07/2020
Date of confirmation of the event 23/07/2020
Report date 24/07/2020
Date submitted to OIE 24/07/2020
Date event resolved 14/08/2020
Reason for notification Emerging disease
Morbidity 1 (scale 0 to 5)
Mortality 0 (scale 0 to 5)
Zoonotic impact Zoonotic potential unknown at this time
Causal agent SARS-CoV-2
Related reports Immediate notification (24/07/2020)
Follow-up report No. 1 (10/08/2020)
Follow-up report No. 2 (19/08/2020)
Follow-up report No. 3 (03/09/2020)
New outbreaks (1)
Outbreak 1 (20-09913, 10143, ASH) Sheung Wan, Central and Western District, Hong Kong
Date of start of the outbreak 21/07/2020
Outbreak status Resolved (06/08/2020)
Epidemiological unit Other
Affected animals
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
Cats 1 1 0 0 0
Affected population A cat kept in the same household as a confirmed COVID-19 patient. The animal did not show any relevant clinical signs.
Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
Cats 1 1 0 0 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Cats 100.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
*Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Likely human to animal transmission
Epidemiological comments The cat was placed under quarantine on 21 July 2020 after confirmation of a human case from the same household. Following veterinary examination nasal, oral and rectal swab samples were taken after the cat’s admission to the quarantine facility. The oral sample was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The cat has not exhibited any specific clinical signs. Investigations are continuing to determine the duration of virus detection. Risk management measures are in place for this case, including cleansing and disinfection of the premises, and proper personal hygiene and protection. Mammalian pets from household with confirmed human cases will be collected for testing of SARS-CoV-2 as appropriate.
Control measures
Measures applied
  • Screening
  • Traceability
  • Quarantine
  • Disinfection
  • Vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists)
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
  • No other measures
Diagnostic test results
Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result
Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department (National laboratory) Cats real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 21/07/2020 Positive
School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong (Regional Reference Laboratory) Cats real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) 23/07/2020 Positive
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
Map of outbreak locations