Tiger positive for Covid-19
From Humans to Animals.
In New York, a tiger has recently been tested positive with the Corona virus at the Bronx Zoo.
The animal in question is Nadia, a four-year old Malayan tiger that developed a dry cough. Samples of Nadia were taken after she and (5) other tigers began to exhibit symptoms of respiratory illness.
According to a press release at the zoo, the animals experienced some decrease in appetite but were still active and interacted well with their caretakers.
“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.”
Dr. Paul Called, the zoo’s chief vet said that the Covid-19 test that was performed on Nadia was different than that was performed on humans and was done in a veterinary school laboratory.
He added that the animals were infected by a zoo employee who was “asymptomatically infected with the virus” while caring for them.
The Bronx Zoo has been closed to the public since March 16.
