Thread by @kakape

It's not just humans. @TheWCS has sent out a press release that a 4-year old tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for #covid19. "She, her sister Azul, two Amur tigers, and three African lions had developed a dry cough and all are expected to recover."

@TheWCS "Our cats were infected by a person caring for them who was asymptomatically infected with the virus or before that person developed symptoms.” Preventive measures now in place to prevent further exposure, says @TheWCS

@TheWCS The infected animals show decreased appetite but are otherwise doing well. "It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats since different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries."

And here is the @USDA statement on it with a short q&a. „Anyone sick with COVID-19 should restrict contact with animals, out of an abundance of caution including pets, during their illness, just as they would with other people.“ aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom…

„Only one tiger was tested as the collection of diagnostic samples in big cats requires general anesthesia. Since all tigers and lions were exhibiting similar respiratory symptoms, the attending veterinarian felt it was in the best interest of the animals to limit“ tests to one.