NC pug apparently first dog in U.S. to test positive for coronavirus

Winston, the pug. (MCLEAN FAMILY)

The pet dog of a family taking part in a study at Duke University is apparently the first in the U.S. to test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

Dr. Chris Woods, the lead investigator of the Molecular and Epidemiological Study of Suspected Infection (MESSI), confirmed in a statement to CBS News that, “To our knowledge, this is the first instance in which the virus has been detected in a dog. Little additional information is known at this time as we work to learn more about the exposure.”

Early last month, Hong Kong health authorities said a coronavirus patient’s pet dog that tested positive for the virus was “likely” the first case of human-to-animal transmission. Since then there have been several cases reported in cats, but research shows dogs are not very susceptible to the virus.

WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, which was first to report the U.S. development, said the dog, a pug named Winston, is part of a family in Chapel Hill.

The mother, father and son in that household were enrolled in the study and tested positive as well, WRAL said.

But another family dog and a cat didn’t test positive. The family’s lizard wasn’t tested.

The station quoted the mom, Heather McLean, a pediatrician at Duke, as saying Winston was having mild symptoms.

Son Ben McLean told CBS News, “There may be more animals that have coronavirus, there just isn’t any testing. Obviously those tests should be going to people rather than pets, but because we were part of a research study, we found out about Winston.”

“However,” he added, “people should not worry about their pets getting sick and dying from this disease, there remains little evidence that it is very harmful to them.”

He told WRAL that Winston “licks all of our dinner plates and sleeps in my mom’s bed, and we’re the ones who put our faces into his face. So, it makes sense that he got” the virus.

According to WRAL, the McLeans’ daughter, Sydney, was the only family member who didn’t test positive. Her husband works in the emergency room at UNC Hospitals.

Local Headlines

Police believe car found in water at Trailhead Neighborhood Park connected to carjacking

Several law enforcement officers and fire crews are on the scene where a car was found in the water at Trailhead Neighborhood Park in Fort Myers.

Gov. DeSantis held a news conference in Redington Shores

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Redington Shores.

New federal rule would bar ‘noncompete’ agreements for most employees

U.S. companies would no longer be able to bar employees from taking jobs with competitors under a rule approved by a federal agency Tuesday, though the rule is sure to be challenged in court.

Cape Coral City Council to hold compensation discussion meeting

The Cape Coral City Council is set to hold a committee of the whole meeting to discuss eliminating the controversial stipend.

US Senate passes legislation to ban TikTok; how will it impact you?

Late Tuesday, the United States Senate passed legislation to ban the popular social media platform TikTok unless a new owner is selected.

Local in your community

Burnt Store Road area residents ask for stakeholder meeting

Police believe car found in water at Trailhead Neighborhood Park connected to carjacking

NC pug apparently first dog in U.S. to test positive for coronavirus

Police believe car found in water at Trailhead Neighborhood Park connected to carjacking

Gov. DeSantis held a news conference in Redington Shores

New federal rule would bar ‘noncompete’ agreements for most employees

Cape Coral City Council to hold compensation discussion meeting

US Senate passes legislation to ban TikTok; how will it impact you?

Cool and comfortable morning ahead of a warmer afternoon

Florida ranks top 5 for most dangerous places to online date; FGCU students react

Cape Coral commissioners set to discuss possibility of pay raises

‘I’ve lost sleep’; Nearly $2K FPL bill leaves customer looking for answers

Search