London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 04, 2025

World Health Organisation monitoring Hong Kong dog’s coronavirus tests

World Health Organisation monitoring Hong Kong dog’s coronavirus tests

Scientists in the city check whether the Pomeranian is really infected, or if the pathogen was just on its body because of proximity to its owner, thought to have been infected. ‘We are working with authorities in Hong Kong,’ says head of global body

Global health chiefs are working with Hong Kong authorities and scientists looking into the case of a pet dog that tested “weak positive” for the coronavirus.

The Pomeranian, believed to belong to a local Covid-19 patient, was being tested further on Saturday to see if it really was infected, or if the pathogen was merely found on its body because of proximity to its owner.

The collaboration between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the city government came after the Hong Kong health authority made a strong appeal on Friday that dogs, cats or any other mammals kept as pets by infected patients be handed over to the government for quarantine.

“We are working with authorities in Hong Kong and scientists in Hong Kong who are testing this animal, the dog,” the WHO’s technical head for health emergencies programme Maria Van Kerkhove said at the organisation’s daily media briefing on Friday.

“And to understand if the dog is actually infected or if the dog picked this up from a contaminated surface.”

She added that the international organisation would try to learn what further tests were taken and how any animals testing positive for the virus would be treated.

The dog was believed to belong to a Jockey Club member reported to have contracted the virus on Tuesday, and whose domestic helper was also infected.

The pair were among 94 cases reported in Hong Kong as of Saturday morning, two of which were fatal.

The city’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said earlier that the dog had not shown any symptoms and there was no evidence pets could contract or pass on the virus.

The animal had been sent to a kennels facility off Lantau Island, near the bridge to Macau and Zhuhai, and would only be returned to its owner once results had come back negative.

The department said confirmed patients’ pets would be sent to designated facilities for veterinary surveillance for 14 days, and samples would be collected for testing when appropriate.



On Saturday, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection, said three pets – two dogs and a cat – had been sent for quarantine.

The authorities were following up on the case, and there was no conclusion yet on whether the dog was actually infected or tested positive because of environmental contamination, she added.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×