코로나19, 반려견도 마스크 써야 할까?

Pet dogs have tested positive for COVID-19 along with their owners in Hong Kong and the U.S., ...getting some owners worried about their dogs contracting the virus.
While people with symptoms must be careful around their pets, experts say putting masks on dogs is unnecessary.
Park Se-young has more.
This woman tries to walk her dog at times when less people are out.
She became concerned after hearing that dogs have been infected with COVID-19.
"I don't know if my dog should wear a mask when out because it comes into contact with dogs and people."
While it isn't common, domestic dogs and cats can catch COVID-19 from their infected human owners.
The first case in animals was reported in March when a dog belonging to a COVID-19 patient in Hong Kong tested positive for the virus.
But the World Health Organization has said there is no evidence that pets can transmit the disease to people ...and that COVID-19 is spread through droplets from infected humans.
"The exact mechanism is not yet known because there are not many cases of pet infections, but there are currently no reported transmissions from dogs to humans. The World Organisation for Animal Health and the WHO are not taking the risk of infections from pets seriously at the moment."
Pets that have tested positive for the virus do not show symptoms to the extent that humans have.
While it is not necessary for dogs to wear masks when at home or walking, ...it is still recommended that people who are sick or at risk limit contact with their pets.
Park Se-young, Arirang News.