Tiger At NYC’s Bronx Zoo Tests Positive For Coronavirus

17

NEW YORK (AP) — A tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for the new coronavirus, in what is believed to be the first known infection in an animal in the U.S. or a tiger anywhere, federal officials and the zoo said Sunday.

Join our WhatsApp group

Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


The 4-year-old Malayan tiger, and six other tigers and lions that have also fallen ill, are believed to have been infected by a zoo employee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. The first animal started showing symptoms March 27, and all are expected to recover, said the zoo, which has been closed to the public since March 16.

“We tested the cat out of an abundance of caution” and aim to “contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus,” said Dr. Paul Calle, the zoo’s chief veterinarian.

The finding raises new questions about transmission of the virus in animals. The USDA says there are no known cases of the virus in U.S. pets or livestock.

“It’s important to assure pet owners and animal owners that at this time there isn’t any evidence that they can spread the virus,” said Dr. Jane Rooney, a veterinarian and a USDA official.

The coronavirus outbreaks around the world are driven by person-to-person transmission, experts say.

There have been reports of a small number of pets outside the United States becoming infected after close contact with contagious people, including a Hong Kong dog that tested positive for a low level of the pathogen in February and early March. Hong Kong agriculture authorities concluded that pet dogs and cats couldn’t pass the virus to human beings but could test positive if exposed by their owners.

Some researchers have been trying to understand the susceptibility of different animal species to the virus, and to determine how it spreads among animals, according to the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as a fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and can be fatal.


Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


Connect with VINnews

Join our WhatsApp group


17 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Josh
Josh
3 years ago

WOW!
Massively tzifrasket!
I think we should implement social distancing for all animals in the zoo!
Time is of essence! The zoo is short of ventilators from what I hear!

lipa99
lipa99
3 years ago

is Cuomo allowing doctors to prescribe the NEW medicine to save the animals?
if yes, then humans should start crawling on all fours and maybe he’ll let them have the medicine also.

OyGevald
OyGevald
3 years ago

So basically this establishes that the authorities have no knowledge of what’s ahead of us regarding Coronavirus and its transmission.

Dov Ber
Dov Ber
3 years ago

Sorry but that’s not even the slightest bit funny but thanks for trying

Judith
Judith
3 years ago

Did they give him a mouth swab ?

Welcome to Sedom
Welcome to Sedom
3 years ago

Liberals have always cared more for animals than for humans. If a mother “chooses” to murder her baby, that’s perfectly acceptable and is even encouraged by making the dumb stupid gullible taxpayers fund it. But if you G-d forbid put a sick animal to sleep, you will be arrested. If you slaughter an animal the way the Bible describes one to, in order to eat it, that is considered inhumane and a stain on society.

ANON21
ANON21
3 years ago

So they’re testing animals but we can’t get tested to go to shul or to be with parents for sedorim. Galus.

Democrats side with America's enemies if President Trump is against them.
Democrats side with America's enemies if President Trump is against them.
3 years ago

There are no upstate zoos that Cuomo can commandeer them from.

Boroch
Boroch
3 years ago

I saw on I-24 news, where in one area of Israel, one does not need an appointment or pre-approval to get a Covid-19 test. At a drive through site, all one had to do was present his/her Israeli ID card, and proof of health care coverage, and that was all that was needed. The test took a few seconds, (one swab in the mouth, and another in the nose), and away the motorist drove. Why can’t they have that here, also?

Blitz Trop
Blitz Trop
3 years ago

I guess Bronx Zoo is out of the question for Chol Hamoed trip!

a yid
a yid
3 years ago

all of you need refuah sheleima

shop lady
shop lady
3 years ago

a name for a mishabayrach please

Anon
Anon
3 years ago

maybe cats in Israel are giving it to people

Phineas Eicher
Phineas Eicher
3 years ago

Now it’s a dangerous tiger.