People who walk their dogs are 78% more likely to contract COVID-19, new study finds
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A new study published Tuesday in the Environmental Research Journal found that people who walk their dogs have an increased risk of catching COVID-19.
Researchers tracked more than 2,000 people in Spain during the country's initial lockdown in the spring.
The scientists found that a person who walks their dog increases their risk of contracting the coronavirus by 78%.
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The study notes that it is unclear if dogs acted as a host vector for the virus, or if the individual owners came into contact with COVID-19 elsewhere in their day-to-day lives.
But the authors say dog owners must pay extra careful attention to personal hygiene as the cold season falls upon us and the virus resurges.
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The full scientific study is published in the journal here.
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