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Tiger tests positive for coronavirus with six other zoo animals showing symptoms

Nadia, a four-year-old female Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York has tested positive for coronavirus Covid-19 after developing a dry cough and a decrease in appetite.

A tiger at Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for Covid-19, the Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement today.

Six other tigers and lions at the zoo are also showing symptoms, but have not yet been tested for the infectious disease.

Nadia, a four-year-old female Malayan tiger, was tested out of an 'abundance of caution'. She had developed a dry cough and a decrease in appetite.

Her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions are also suffering symptoms, but all of the cats, including Nadia, are expected to recover.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, the parent company of the Bronx Zoo, said in a statement that "appropriate preventive measures are now in place for all staff who are caring for them".

They added that measures were in place to prevent further exposure to other zoo cats.

"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," their statement continued.

"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."

Zoo officials believed the cats may have been infected by a person working at the zoo, who was asymptomatical.

The Bronx zoo has been temporarily closed since March 16.

While the tiger was the first known animal to test positive for coronavirus within the US, there are reports of animals catching the virus in other countries.

A study published at the end of last week found cats can catch coronavirus and infect each other, just like their owners.

It found no evidence to suggest felines could pass Covid-19 to humans.

Pet owners worried about their cats getting the nasty bug should try to protect them, experts said.

The finding prompted scientists to assure that while cats are susceptible to the deadly virus sweeping the globe, there is no reason to fear you can catch it from your furry friend.

The finding about cats being able to catch and spread the virus between one another has emerged this week in a new study from China, the  Guardian  reports.

It led experts in the UK to warn anyone who is self-isolating with  coronavirus  symptoms and sharing their house with a cat should stay away from the pet in quarantine to shield it from catching the virus too.

The World Health Organisation states on its website that there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit Covid-19 to humans.

Reference: The Guardian