SARS-CoV-2 can infect a wide range of animal species, wild and domestic. Scientists worry that the virus could mutate and jump between species due to novel mutations and possibly harmful new variants.
Scientists discovered this similarity in genome sequence of COVID when the cat’s owner got infected. The owner then passed COVID on to the cat. Unfortunately cats don’t want to wear masks and aren’t too keen on getting another shot either.
Hopefully this cat’s infection can help scientists understand if viruses like COVID can jump between species and still infect humans. If scientists find this answer, we can thank a cat for helping out.
To learn more about the similarity of viruses in cats and humans, click here.