Does Covid-19 transmit between pets and humans? Well, one local researcher is looking to find out!
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is currently in the midst of finding cat volunteers for a study on Covid-19 which seeks to determine the cross-infection of the virus between human and felines. In a Facebook post by the University’s Veterinary Faculty’s feline research team (yes, they have a research team studying cats!) is searching for 220 cat volunteers who’s owner have been previously infected with the Covid-19 virus.
Specifically, the research team is looking for cats that fit these requirements:
- The cat owner has been Covid-19 positive on or after 1 January 2020.
- Staying in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan or Melaka.
- The cat owner is Malaysian and above 18 years old.
If your cat fits the above description, the team would like to take a sample from your feline friend to find out its Covid-19 status.
The study, headed by Dr Farina Mustafa Kamal will be taking samples from nose and mouth swabs, as well as rectal swabs from cats aged more than six months old.
Furthermore, the study will be ongoing up until August of this year and participants will be rewarded with cat food.
If you fit the requirements and are interested to volunteer your cat for the study, you can visit their website here to register.
Also read: Man Caught Throwing Cat Into Mine, NGO Offers RM2K To Witnesses Who Can Identify Him
