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By Lee Hyo-jin
A total of 89 dogs and cats have tested positive for the coronavirus in Korea as of September, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Tuesday.
Available information to date in the country and overseas shows that animals can be infected with the virus, mostly during close contact with confirmed human patients, but the risk of pet-to-human transmission is considered to be low.
According to the data submitted from the ministry to Rep. Maeng Sung-kyu of the liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea, 55 dogs and 34 cats have been infected here since the pandemic began in January 2020.
Of them, 80 were reported in Seoul, while three were seen in Gyeonggi Province, followed by two in Sejong City.
Under the government quarantine policy, if an owner is confirmed to have been infected by the virus, the local government may test their pet if it shows coronavirus-like symptoms, including fever, coughing and breathing difficulties, in cooperation with a local veterinary service center.
If an animal tests positive, it will be placed under a 14-day mandatory quarantine under the care of a family member who has not contracted the virus.
Most local governments offer pet care services for those who are not available to take care of their pets.
However, according Rep. Maeng, four provincial governments ― North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla and Gangwon ― are not providing such services.
"The government should expand the number of designated facilities providing pet care services for patients who are in COVID-19 treatment facilities," he said in a statement.
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