Dog Walkers Found To Be At High Risk Of Getting COVID-19

Dog Walkers Found To Be At High Risk Of Getting COVID-19

Although outdoor activities are considered relatively safer than indoor ones during this global pandemic, a study done by Spain yielded a result that contradicts this belief.

According to the study, people who walk their dogs are 78% more probable to be infected by the virus, much to the bewilderment of epidemiologists and dog families. This study took into consideration the mobility patterns and hygiene practices of its population, although it didn’t indicate how people got the virus nor provided reasons for this risk.

According to Boston Medical Center’s epidemiologist, Dr. Joshua Barocas, canines aren’t the likely carriers in this finding. He said it could be the social nature of dog walking that’s the most plausible explanation for this discovery.

“People go out, they walk their dogs, somebody else touches the dog, maybe they inadvertently shake hands with somebody, somebody coughs and then shakes hands or touches the dog,” Barocas said.

Dog owners were also shocked and unconvinced by the results and some asserted that dog walking is a good activity at this period because you’re outside under the sun and not confined in a shared space. While there have been four canines in the world found to have infected humans since this pandemic started, it is still inconclusive whether dogs can indeed be COVID-19 carriers.

The said study also pointed out that this increased risk of contraction are only observed among dog families and not those of other pets.

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