CORONAVIRUS: WALKING YOUR DOG WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF BEING INFECTED BY 78%.
The study does not comment on the reasons for this higher risk among dog owners.
A Spanish study has highlighted the daily behaviors most at risk from coronavirus. Among them, walking your dog, which increases the probability of contracting Covid-19 by 78%.
Published in the scientific journal Environmental Research, this study is based on a survey, to which more than 2,000 people responded during the containment in Spain, in force between last March and May. “The results of this survey warn of a greater contagion among dog owners”, explain its authors, for whom “this higher prevalence has yet to be elucidated”. The hypothesis that dogs can transmit the coronavirus to their master or mistress must be explored, according to these Spanish researchers.
In France, the Health Security Agency (Anses) confirmed on Thursday that “domestic and wild animals play no epidemiological role in the maintenance and spread of SARS-CoV-2 (the name of the virus responsible for Covid-19, NDLR)”, while a few cases of dogs and cats positive for the coronavirus have been identified in France. However, the ANSES calls on owners of animals “receptive” to Covid-19 (dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters…) to respect “strict” hygiene measures. People suffering from coronavirus must for their part “avoid close contact with animals”.
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GETTING GROCERIES DELIVERED, A RISKY BEHAVIOUR
The Spanish study highlights other situations and activities that increase the risk of catching the virus. One of them is particularly surprising: having your basic necessities delivered to your home increases the probability of infection by 94% compared to shopping in a store. Working on site rather than teleworking is associated with a 76% increased risk, and living with someone who has Covid-19 at a 60% increased risk.
As for the most effective behaviour to reduce the chances of contracting the virus, according to this study, it is the disinfection of products bought in supermarkets or grocery stores (-94%), ahead of all other hygiene measures. In its official recommendations, Anses recommends a few things to do when you come home from shopping: wash your hands, remove overwraps when possible, clean the products (and remaining wrappers) with a damp paper towel before putting them away, and then wash your hands again. Fruits and vegetables should be washed with potable water – not bleach or detergent – before eating or cooking.
