Friday, March 29, 2024
News

Lions, tigers in US zoo test presumptive positive for Covid

   SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend    Print this Page   COMMENT

Washington | Saturday, 2021 3:15:06 PM IST
All of the lions and tigers living in the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. have tested presumptive positive for Covid-19, it was announced in a statement.

In the statement on Friday, the zoo, which is one the oldest in the US, fecal samples for all the big cats, including six African lions, a Sumatran tiger and two Amur tigers, were collected and tested presumptive positive, Xinhua news agency reported.

Final results are expected in the next few days.

No other animals at the zoo are showing any signs of infection, the statement added.

According to the zoo, animal keepers observed decreased appetites, coughing, sneezing and lethargy in several lions and tigers last weekend.

All lions and tigers were being treated with anti-inflammatories and anti-nausea medication to address discomfort and decreased appetite, as well as antibiotics for presumptive secondary bacterial pneumonia, it said

They remain under close observation, the zoo added.

Zoo staff still managed the cats' access to their outdoor habitats since their condition does not require they remain inside. However, given the substantial distance between the animals and visitors, the public is not at risk, the statement said.

So far there is no evidence to pinpoint the source of the infection, it said, adding the zoo has conducted a thorough investigation of all staff that were in close proximity to the lions and tigers.

The US Department of Agriculture has authorised the use of a SARS-COV-2 vaccine made specifically for zoo animals by Zoetis.

The first round of vaccine disbursement will be administered to select animals identified as susceptible species at both the zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia when it becomes available in the coming months, said the zoo.

It has been standard practice for all animal care staff and essential staff working in the zoo to wear masks indoors at all public and non-public areas.

--IANS ksk/

( 328 Words)

2021-09-18-09:20:05 (IANS)

 
  LATEST COMMENTS (0)
POST YOUR COMMENT
Comments Not Available
 
POST YOUR COMMENT
 
 
TRENDING TOPICS
 
 
CITY NEWS
MORE CITIES
 
 
 
MORE WORLD NEWS
South Africa's former President Jacob Zu...
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to hold rally o...
8 people killed after pickup truck falls...
'Government's attempts to scare and inti...
EAM Jaishankar shares glimpse from his t...
US reaffirms support for Philippines sov...
More...
 
INDIA WORLD ASIA
Uttar Pradesh: Security tightened in Ali...
'Three parties have allied directly...':...
Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena releases first...
Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhta...
Chennai: Three dead after false ceiling ...
'My father was being given slow poison; ...
More...    
 
 Top Stories
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to hold ra... 
Miami Open: Bopanna-Ebden storms in... 
Anju Bobby questions IOA's decision... 
"Three parties have allied directly... 
8 people killed after pickup truck ... 
IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant feels 'disap... 
Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena releases ... 
"Thought we could win series": Craw...