Bronx Zoo tiger develops dry cough, tests positive for coronavirus
NEW YORK — Federal officials confirmed that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19 after multiple animals developed virus symptoms.
Nadia, a 4-year-old Malayan tiger, was tested after her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions developed a dry cough. The animals are all expected to recover.
"We tested the cat out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about COVID-19 will contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus," said the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which manages the Bronx Zoo.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the tests on Sunday and is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with state animal and public health leaders to determine whether animals, at the zoo or in other areas, should be tested for COVID-19.
Officials believe the animals became sick after being exposed to a zoo employee who was "actively shedding virus." According to the zoo, the person caring for the large cats was either "asymptomatically infected with the virus" or cared for the animals "before that person developed symptoms."
"Appropriate preventive measures are now in place for all staff who are caring for them, and the other cats in our four WCS zoos, to prevent further exposure of any other of our zoo cats," the conservation society said.
The zoo has been closed to the public since mid-March, and the first tiger began showing signs of sickness on March 27. No other animals at the zoo are showing symptoms of the virus, according to the USDA.
Anyone sick with COVID-19 should restrict contact with animals, including pets, out of an abundance of caution during their own illness, just as they would with other people.
Although there have not been reports of pets contracting COVID-19 in the United States, the USDA recommends that people with the illness limit contact with animals until more is known about the virus. If sick people must care for a pet or be around animals, they should wash their hands before and after the interaction.
Jessie Gomez is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com and NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: jgomez@gannettnj.com Twitter: @jessiereport