The results of the case, in which the Near East University found that a domestic cat was infected with the British variant in the TRNC, made a sensation in the scientific world. With the case announced in May, it was detected that COVID-19 was transmitted from a human to a pet for the first time in the TRNC. Another important aspect was that it was the first case to show that a cat was infected with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (British) variant.

The article written after a joint research conducted by Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Çerkez Ergören from the Near East University COVID-19 PCR Diagnostic Laboratory, one of doctors at the Near East Animal Hospital Prof. Dr. Eser Özgencil, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serkan Sayıner, Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ege İnce and Research Assistant Veterinarian Ali Çürükoğlu, has been accepted for publication in the veterinary journal “Australian Veterinary Journal” in Australia’s famous high-impact science citation index (SCI). “We believe this study improves current understanding of human-to-cat SARS-CoV-2 transmission with the B1.1.7 variant,” the journal editors wrote in their acceptance letter.

The first cat to be infected with the British variant!
Near East University scientists determined that COVID-19 was transmitted from human to pet for the first time in Northern Cyprus in May. Another interesting feature of the case was that it was the first time a domestic cat was detected to be infected with the British variant of SARS-CoV-2. Studies around the world to date have suggested that pets can become infected three to six weeks after COVID-19 patients. The analyzes carried out by the scientists of the Near East University revealed that the cat was infected at the same time as the family members in the TRNC.

SARS-CoV-2 can infect pets in the first 10 days
As a result of the analysis, it was detected for the first time in the world that human-to-pet transmission occurs within the first 10 days. In addition, it has been proven that the British variant of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 can be transmitted from human to human as well as from human to domestic cat. One of the responsible staff of the Near East University COVID-19 PCR Diagnostic Laboratory, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Çerkez Ergören said, “The case we detected in the TRNC proved that the English variant of SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted from person to person in a high capacity as well as from person to domestic animals. Therefore, the article we prepared based on this case found an important response in the scientific world without wasting time.”