A 4-year old Malayan tiger has tested positive for coronavirus at a Bronx Zoo in New York City.
The tiger named Nadia is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the United States or any tiger anywhere in the world, federal officials and the zoo said.
Nadia was screened for the COVID-19
disease after developing a dry cough
along with three other tigers and three lions, According to the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Public health officials believe that the large cats caught Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, from a zoo employee. The tiger appeared visibly sick by March 27.
“Several lions and tigers at the zoo showed symptoms of respiratory illness,” according to a statement by the department. They are
expected to recover.
A statement issued by the zoo says that “Though they have experienced some decrease in appetite, the cats at the Bronx Zoo are otherwise doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert, and interactive with their keepers.”
The incident is said to have stunned zoo officials but not medical experts who have advised that pet owners should take the usual precautions of hand washing, and might choose to avoid overly close contact with their animals .
Photo Credit: Reuters
