Tigers in Bronx Zoo have the virus

[SarahInAccounts]

A four-year-old female Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The tiger, named Nadia, is believed to be the first known case of an animal infected with Covid-19 in the US.

The Bronx Zoo, in New York City, says the test result was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa.

Nadia, along with six other big cats, is thought to have been infected by an asymptomatic zoo keeper.

Full story-

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52177586#

Worrying development.

[VenusStarr]

That is very worrying

[Deelish75]

It is disturbing, so much about this virus is still unknown. My understanding is they still don’t know if the cats or any other animals can pass it back to humans.

[kateclarke]

It’s very worrying.

Also, who took the swab, Joe Exotic? You wouldn’t get me putting that stuff down a tigers nose.

[TheTiaraManager]

Very worrying

[Stella8686]

A cat had it in Europe last week

[Siameasy]

Worrying because- do keepers get that close to tigers? I mean I practically snog my cat but might be a bit less amorous with a tiger. So it’s extremely infectious

[TheTiaraManager]

@Stella8686 was that a big cat or domestic cat?

[BovaryX]

There is no evidence whatsoever that felines can transmit the virus to humans. But as a consequence of reports such as this, many pet cats are being abandoned or killed. For no reason. This lethal virus and its malign effects.

[PenguinBarnotBird]

It was a domestic cat in Belgium as far as I remember.... agree it’s very worrying if cats can pass this back to humans

[BovaryX]

@PenguinBarnotBird

agree it’s very worrying if cats can pass this back to humans

There is zero evidence that cats can transmit this to humans

[PenguinBarnotBird]

@BovaryX the tigers caught it from the zookeeper I think? So it only goes one way?

[BovaryX]

Apparently so. There is zero evidence of cats transmitting it to humans None.

[BovaryX]

Actually I think people have more reason to worry about plastic, than tigers. Apparently, the virus can survive on plastic surfaces for days. Plastic is ubiquitous. Tigers? Not so much....