UPDATE: SARS-CoV2/ CORONAVIRUS IN ANIMALS
In late summer the MD Department of Health reported that a domestic cat tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. This finding is consistent with other states reporting positive cats and dogs in households where COVID-19 positive people are in close contact with pets. Based on the information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people continues to be low. SARS-CoV-2 is considered to be an emerging disease by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). USDA must report confirmed animal infections in the United States to the OIE.
Information changes rapidly and visiting state and federal websites for accurate information and guidance is encouraged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains updated guidance documents for humans and animals as well as links to USDA (domestic animal) USGS (wildlife) sites and others.
CDC and USDA data on global animal infections as of October 29, 2020 (www.CDC.gov)
For Federal Agency SARS-CoV-2 Web Links Visit the Following Sites:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa_one_health/sars-cov-2-animals-us
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html
https://www.usgs.gov/science-explorer-results?es=SARS-CoV-2
For State Agency SARS-CoV-2 Web Links Visit the Following Sites:
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has resources on domestic animals on their website:
https://news.maryland.gov/mda/category/covid-19/
https://mda.maryland.gov/vetboard/Pages/default.aspx
The Maryland Department of Health website contains helpful information on human health:
https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources COVID-19 page can be found at the following website: