Strengthening standard management of information dissemination to avoid social panic
There is no evidence to suggest that pets infected with new coronavirus can be passed on by experts
□ Our reporter Cai Changchun, our trainee reporter Hao Yaxin
The new Pneumonia virus spread across species, even tigers were not spared. It has been reported recently that a Malayan Tiger New Coronavirus test at a zoo in New York, USA was positive. Prior to this, many countries have also experienced cats and dogs and other pets infected with the new coronavirus, which has made people with pets nervous.
"Everyone doesn't need to panic about this." Animal research experts and animal protection association related personnel said in an interview with the "Legal Daily" reporter that there is no clear scientific research result that shows that pets such as cats and dogs can be transmitted to humans after carrying the new coronavirus. Everyone should maintain a good and rational attitude, and do not cause excessive behaviors such as abandonment or even killing of pets caused by panic.
Wu Chunyang, a teacher and practicing veterinarian at the College of Animal Science and Technology of Beijing Agricultural College, has been practicing in the animal hospital for many years and has extensive experience in animal disease prevention and treatment. She told reporters that coronavirus is a common virus in animals. Pet doctors are often exposed to similar cases. So far, it is basically certain that the common coronaviruses carried by animals are relatively safe for humans.
"There is no scientific basis to prove that pets such as cats and dogs will pass the virus back to humans after being infected with the new coronavirus." Wu Chunyang said that it is necessary to conduct further research on this, but there is no need to be too panic for this.
In fact, some research teams are studying and exploring this issue.
On April 3, Jin Meilin, a professor at Huazhong Agricultural University, and Shi Zhengli, a professor at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, etc. sampled and analyzed the serum of 102 cats in high-risk areas of Wuhan and found that there is no evidence that cats infected with the new coronavirus can be transmitted to humans.
A new study by the Chen Hualan and Bu Zhigao team of the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences also shows that it is still unclear whether cats can transmit the new coronavirus to humans.
Qin Xiaona, the honorary chairman of the Capital Animal Care Association, told reporters that apart from scientific research, people should note that there has not been a major epidemic caused by domestic pets since ancient times, and everyone need not panic.
When the news that pet cats were infected with the new coronavirus just came out, it once made many cat owners very nervous, and it also caused some tragedies to abandon or even kill pets.
Qin Xiaona told reporters that a similar panic occurred during the SARS period in 2003. The reason is that some information was disregarded during the dissemination process to gain eyeballs and mislead the public.
"The standard management of information dissemination should be strengthened to prevent similar rumors from misleading the public. It is also necessary to strengthen national scientific literacy education, enhance their ability to discern rumors, avoid blind followers, and then make some irrational behaviors." Qin Xiaona said.
Xiao Zhi, head of the Student Animal Protection Association of a college in Guangzhou, believes that while regulating information dissemination, pet owners should also enhance their ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and be responsible for pets in the end. Abandonment and other behaviors not only harm pets, but also lead to the management of increased stray cats and dogs. Problems, which in turn increases the cost of urban governance and threatens the health and safety of citizens.
"Being a responsible pet owner not only respects the animal's life, but also reduces the pressure of the government to manage stray animals. Not creating new social governance issues is the animal owner's contribution to the overall situation of epidemic prevention and control." Qin Xiaona Say.
How to better manage pets effectively during epidemic prevention and control? Wu Chunyang believes that this is an issue that should be seriously considered at present.
"Although pets with new coronary pneumonia may not be passed on to people, but if they are not protected and cleaned, once they are infected with the virus and brought home, it is likely to threaten the health of their owners." Wu Chunyang said that pet cats do not go out The problem is not big, but the owner needs to take good protection, go home and wash hands, do not bring the virus home, and spread it to pets; if you need to walk the dog, you should avoid direct contact with other people and other animals, and avoid crowded areas To prevent it from licking something outside, consider wearing a collar or mouth guard.
Xiao Zhi reminded that the most effective methods for preventing epidemic diseases in pets are the same as that of human beings. During the epidemic, if the dog is unavoidable, it must be leashed and it is best to wear a muzzle, which can effectively avoid infection caused by its licking and licking. After returning home, it is necessary to do a proper cleaning and disinfection of the pet's body.
"There is evidence that people living with viruses will contaminate many objects on the surface of their homes, including pets." Qin Xiaona suggested that families who keep pets pay attention to daily hygiene and choose special disinfectants for pets, but remember not to Excessive disinfection to avoid harm to people and animals.
"I believe in science, rational treatment, and active prevention and control. I believe that humans and pets will wait unharmed until the epidemic recedes and enter a healthy and beautiful future together." Qin Xiaona said.