4-Year-Old Tiger Develops Dry Cough, Tests Positive To Coronavirus As Scientists Research If Animals Transmits Virus To Humans
The animal kingdom appears to be under attack after a 4-year-old Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for the new coronavirus, in what is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the U.S.
The tiger named Nadia and her sister Azul, along with two other tigers and three lions are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society.
The organisation added that the test that was carried out was confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
The zoo said they believe the cats were infected by a zoo employee who wasn’t yet showing symptoms.
Nadia was tested “out of an abundance” of caution and the other animals are reportedly doing well under veterinary care.
According to Dr. Paul Calle, the zoo’s chief veterinarian, the first animal started showing symptoms on March 27, and all the animals are doing well and expected to recover.
He said;
We tested the cat [Nadia] out of an abundance of caution and aim to contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus.
Wildlife Conservation Society in a statement revealed that other than experiencing a decrease in appetite, the animals are “bright, alert and interactive with their keepers.”
The organization stated;
It is not known how this disease will develop in big cat since different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries.
Wildlife Conservation Society said;
USDA officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are monitoring the situation and working to support the state and local health departments and state animal health officials.
It added that;
State animal and public health officials will take the lead in making determinations about whether animals, either at this zoo or in other areas, should be tested for [coronavirus].
The agency has recommended that anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms should “restrict contact with animals, out of an abundance of caution, including pets, during their illness, just as they would with other people.”
Though there have not been any reports of pets becoming sick with the virus in the US, the agency is also recommending that people “limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association has reported several cases of domestic animals and pets testing positive for the virus, mostly in China, where the virus is believed to have originated, but no confirmed cases of infections in house cats.
The Wildlife Conservation Society stated;
There is no evidence that animals play a role in the transmission of Covid-19 to people other than the initial event in the Wuhan market, and no evidence that any person has been infected with Covid-19 in the US by animals, including by pet dogs or cats.
The zoo has been closed to the public since March 16 amid the surging coronavirus outbreak in New York but its essential staff is caring for the 6,000 animals inside.
