Kasaragod: The fate of a cat that crossed the seas from Kasaragod to America during the COVID-19 pandemic remains shrouded in mystery, as the results of its examination are yet to be reported by US authorities.

In the early days of the pandemic, a peculiar case attracted attention when a cat from Kasaragod became a subject of interest concerning the virus’s potential impact on pets. The carcass of the cat, sent from Kasaragod General Hospital to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was to be examined to determine if it had succumbed to COVID-19.

During the pandemic, cats often sought refuge in hospital wards in search of food, unaware of the risks posed by COVID-19. Complaints were raised as these animals began causing disturbances to patients. In response, the Kerala health department intervened, transferring the cat to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre near Kasaragod Railway Station.

One cat reportedly died due to inadequate feeding, a consequence of the partial operation of offices during the pandemic. Rumours quickly spread that the cat had died from COVID-19, leading the hospital to send its body to the CDC for a definitive diagnosis.

This unresolved question recently resurfaced during an essay competition organized by the District Information Office to commemorate Basheer Day—a day honouring the renowned Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.

Dr A.A. Abdul Sattar, from the Pulmonary Department of Kasaragod General Hospital, wrote an essay on the cat’s story and won first prize.