Other big cats are also showing symptoms.
A tiger in a New York zoo has tested positive for Covid-19.
The four-year-old female Malayan tiger, named Nadia, tested positive for the virus at the Bronx Zoo this weekend.
Six other big cats, including Nadia’s sister and three African lions, are also showing symptoms of the virus.
This is the first known positive case of coronavirus in an animal in the US. The result was confirmed last night by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa.
It is believed that Nadia contracted the virus from an asymptomatic zoo keeper. Although it is not yet known how Covid-19 develops in big cats, Nadia is expected to make a full recovery.
According to Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo, the seven big cats had developed dry coughs in the weeks since the coronavirus outbreak.
The zoo said they tested Nadia as a precaution, and that any knowledge they gain from her condition “will contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus.”
“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,” they said.
“It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats since different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries.”
It had previously been thought that animals could not contract Covid-19.
There is still no evidence to suggest that animals can transmit the virus to humans.
