(CNN) — A 4-year-old Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York tested positive for coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 in humans. This is the first time a tiger has been infected, according to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, for its acronym in English).
The tiger, named Nadia, along with her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions “developed a dry cough and they are all expected to recover,” a zoo news release said.
Samples were taken from Nadia and analyzed after several lions and tigers at the zoo showed symptoms of respiratory illnesses, the USDA said in a statement.
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“Although they have experienced a decrease in appetite, the Bronx Zoo felines are doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert and interactive with their keepers. It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats as species may react differently to new infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries, ”the zoo statement said.
The zoo said the big cats were infected by a person who cared for them, who was asymptomatic or had not yet developed symptoms.
“Appropriate preventative measures have been implemented for all staff caring for them and the other felines at our four WCS zoos to avoid further exposure of any of our other zoo felines,” the statement concluded.
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