Three lions and two pumas tested positive for Covid-19 in an ‘unnamed private zoo’ in Johannesburg recently, reported News24.
Researchers at the University of Pretoria conducted a study that found that ‘reverse zoonotic (animal-borne) transmission of Covid-19 … posed a risk to big cats kept in captivity.’
The cats displayed symptoms like coughing and runny noses, and were tested for the virus. Twelve staff members that had direct contact with the animals were also tested for Covid-19, and five tested positive.
‘This data suggests that SARS-CoV-2 was circulating among staff during the time that the lions got sick and suggests that those with direct contact with the animals were likely responsible for the reverse zoonotic transmission,’ said Marietjie Venter, a professor of virology at the university according to The Standard.
Viral samples showed the lions were infected with the Delta variant and although not enough viral material was available to determine whether this was the same for the pumas, the scientists strongly suspect so.
Picture: Blood Lions
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