Main image via CNBC + Sky News
As much as we’re doing our part to help curb the spread of COVID-19 by staying indoors, unfortunately the virus is still moving around.
It seems like humans are not the only ones who have been testing positive for COVID-19, because according to recent reports, a tiger has also tested positive for the virus.
via GIPHY
A tiger named Nadia from New York’s Bronx Zoo, was found to have caught the virus, in what is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the US or in a tiger anywhere.
“It’s the first time, to our knowledge, that a [wild] animal has gotten sick from COVID-19 from a person,” said Paul Calle, chief veterinarian for the Bronx Zoo.
According to federal officials and the zoo, the four-year-old Malayan tiger is believed to have been infected by a zoo employee who had not yet shown any symptoms of the virus.
As the zoo has been closed to visitors since 16th March, “It’s the only thing that makes sense,” Paul added.
Image via CNBC
Six other tigers and lions are also showing symptoms of the illness.
The first animal started showing symptoms of the virus on 27th March and according to the zoo, all the animals are doing well and are expected to recover.
Nadia, her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions developed dry coughs and some of the big cats were exhibiting loss of appetite and wheezing, the chief veterinarian noted.
“Considering what’s going on in New York City, we of course did the COVID testing,” Paul said.
The seven cats live in two areas at the zoo and all had contact with the same worker – who’s doing okay, zoo official said.
The zoo also noted that they are taking “appropriate preventive measures” for the staff who are taking care of the sick animals, and that no other big cats on the property are showing signs of illness.
Image via The Economic Times
Nadia’s samples were sent for testing at the New York State Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Nadia’s test results were confirmed positive for the virus at the US Department of Agriculture’s veterinary lab who also went on to note that there were no known cases of the virus in US pets or livestock.
“These are extremely hard days for all of us – no matter where we live and work,” said zoo director Jim Breheny in a statement. “We will ensure that whatever we can learn from these circumstances will be used to better understand and combat this disease.”
“There doesn’t appear to be, at this time, any evidence that suggests that the animals can spread the virus to people or that they can be a source of the infection in the United States,” Dr Jane Rooney, a veterinarian and a USDA official, said in an interview.
Image via Sky News
We hope that Nadia and all the other big cats make a full recovery!
Be sure to play your part in being responsible and staying home to stop the spread of COVID-19!
Stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19
Info via National Geographic + The Guardian