Tiger at Bronx Zoo in New York City tests positive for coronavirus

[Mrs. Overall]

Source: ABC

A tiger at New York City's Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19, the Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement.

The tiger, a 4-year-old female Malayan tiger named Nadia, developed a dry cough and a decrease in appetite. She was tested out of an abundance of caution, and the results were confirmed by the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa, the society said.

Her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions also showed coronavirus symptoms, but all of the cats, including Nadia, are expected to recover.

It is unknown how the disease develops in big cats. There is also no evidence that animals can infect people with the virus.

The Bronx Zoo has been temporarily closed since March 16.

Read more: https://abc7.com/tiger-at-nyc-zoo-tests-positive-for-covid-19/6079258/

---

Other stories on the tiger at the Bronx Zoo state that one of the zoo keepers for the cats tested positive, so the cats likely got it from him/her.

[elleng]

1. 'There is also no evidence that animals can infect people with the virus,'

but that's where it came from originally, right? Bats?

[Igel]

25. Originally.

But it jumps infrequently.

Not directly from bats, but it could happen. We're just not around food bats that often.

[elleng]

28. 'Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species

of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. . .

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three of these viruses have their origins in bats. The sequences from U.S. patients are similar to the one that China initially posted, suggesting a likely single, recent emergence of this virus from an animal reservoir.

Early on, many of the patients at the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China had some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. Later, a growing number of patients reportedly did not have exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread. Person-to-person spread was subsequently reported outside Hubei and in countries outside China, including in the United States.'>>>

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html

[PatSeg]

30. According to the article,

seven animals at the zoo contracted the virus from an asymptomatic person who was caring for them. This is really disturbing.

And yes, it is believed that the virus initially came from bats, though it isn't certain.

Hi Ellen!

[elleng]

34. Hi, PatSeg, together again.

[PatSeg]

45. Oh yes

We go back a long way!

[KY_EnviroGuy]

70. That statement they made is very dangerous and misleading.

There is also no evidence that animals CAN'T infect humans.

Both statements clearly indicate no extensive scientific tests have been performed to confirm one way or another.

They should have said: "There is also no evidence whether or not animals can infect people with the virus."

It would be very naive to think virus spread from an animal cough or sneeze is any less contagious than those from a human.

[LudwigPastorius]

106. Oh no. I'm wondering if domestic kittehs can carry the virus.

And, if they did, they wouldn't have to cough on you to transmit it. If you pet their fur, you're petting their saliva too.

[OnDoutside]

3. How come a tiger gets a CV test, and humans can't ?

[EllieBC]

8. I'm going to guess

it’s a different test?

Or hope that because there’s literally no good reason why a tiger would get one before a human.

[OnDoutside]

9. I'm going with your idea on that....

[Igel]

27. That's really improbable.

Somebody developing a PCR test specifically for felidae. Yeah, I'm gonna say it hasn't happened. (And if so, fire the person for misuse of resources.)

Same virus, same RNA, same test. I'd just hate to be the poor bastard who had to shove the swab into the tiger's nasopharyngeal cavity.

[Coventina]

31. They probably anesthetized Nadia before taking the sample.

Less stress on her and the keepers.

They could do a lot of routine care (dental, cardiac, etc.) at the same time. They never let an animal's time under anesthesia go to waste.

[EndlessWire]

114. LOL! n/t

[Coventina]

29. There is a very excellent reason why a tiger would get one before a human:

Way too many humans on the planet, not nearly enough tigers.

[sweetloukillbot]

36. What the fuck???

Turning a pandemic into a "humans are evil" sermon is fucking sick.

[Coventina]

40. Sue me.

[whathehell]

68. Not necessary..

Calling it out suffices.

[yonder]

63. There ARE too many people on the planet.

[whathehell]

69. Are you volunteering to leave?

[yonder]

72. Your question might fit a different assertion.

[whathehell]

73. So might your answer.

[yonder]

80. Do you think there are too many people?

[The_jackalope]

77. Well, my DNR is made out

And I leave behind no children, and no regrets.

[emmaverybo]

88. And too few tigers.

[whathehell]

71. People frequently (if foolishly) turn on themselves and each other

when confronted with powerful negative external forces.

[The_jackalope]

59. COVID-19 looks more and more like Gaia's anti-cancer agent.

"Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell."

~Edward Abbey

[Coventina]

60. Apparently, some people take that very personally.

[The_jackalope]

61. Yeah, I've noticed that myself.

It's a speciesist point of view, hardly justified under objective criteria...

[Coventina]

62. You wouldn't believe the abuse I've gotten for expressing that.

Well, actually, you probably would.

[The_jackalope]

66. Oh yeah.

[whathehell]

74. Misanthropy will do that..

[The_jackalope]

75. Yup. Cheerfully admitted.

[whathehell]

78. Enjoy the love..

[Coventina]

79. Yes, I know.

People are very attached to their sense of preciousness.

[Coventina]

82. The older I get, the happier I am when I am not attached to my ego.

And humans continue to prove to me that they are, by and large, horrible to each other and the planet.

The evidence is voluminous and quite concrete.

[whathehell]

87. Yes, you sound ecstatic..

Seriously, you sound very lonely and sad.

I felt that way years ago and got help for it. I sincerely hope you do the same.

[Coventina]

96. I appreciate your well-wishes. n/t

[I_UndergroundPanther]

99. Yeah they are

And trump is the worst one.

[tclambert]

108. Have you heard of this Thanos guy?

He wanted to get rid of 50% of the people.

Somebody pointed out 50% only takes us back to where we were in the 1960s. We can replace the lost population in about 50 years. Thanos was thinking way too small. If you want to have a lasting effect, you've got to knock Earth's population down to about 1 billion, where we were in 1804. That buys you 200 years before you have to snap your fingers again.

[LisaL]

10. Because NY has many, many people but very few tigers?

[OnDoutside]

15. Yeah let the human die.

[LisaL]

20. I would think it's important to know if animals can be infected by this virus or not.

[EndlessWire]

115. Exactly.

We need to know this. They would be a source of infection that might be overlooked.

And, if this is so, someone needs to start the process of developing a vaccine against C-19 for animals.

This is a kinda fresh hell for the world. We have a lot of food sources that might need safeguarding.

[Coventina]

24. I'd rather humans die than tigers.

Amur (Siberian) tigers are critically endangered.

Sadly, humans, not so much.

Yes, I hate humans, no, I'm not sorry.
Yes, I include myself. And yes, I'm happy to die if I conclude I'm more of a burden on the planet than a contributer.
(just saving time on a back-and-forth I've already had on this board a number of times).

[Coventina]

42. This coming from someone who chose "killbot" as part of their name?

OK

[sweetloukillbot]

43. I'm not wishing people die from a pandemic

Then doubling down when called on it.
You are a fucking sociopath.

[Coventina]

44. I didn't say I wanted people to die from the pandemic.

I said I'd rather humans die than tigers die.

There is a difference.

But, go ahead and be angry at me. It doesn't bother me.

[Lulu KC]

38. We are the non-essential species

I could go there. But I don't much , because people tend to take it so personally, unless I detect that someone gets it.

[Coventina]

46. You got that right. See above.

[sweetloukillbot]

49. Sociopaths unite!! nt

[Coventina]

50. .

[Lulu KC]

53. Didn't mean it personally!

[Coventina]

85. Your concern is noted. n/t

[customerserviceguy]

107. There are those

filled with such self-loathing that they consider Homo sapiens to be the only illegitimate species on the planet.

You've just met one.

[MosheFeingold]

111. I'm sure you can find a way

To solve your self hate.

[Coventina]

112. Your concern is noted. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. It's important for research to know whether animals can get it.

[PatSeg]

32. I agree

The test was confirmed by the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa. Perhaps they provided the tests. I'm sure there is good reason to want to know if animals can contract the virus and if they can transmit it to humans.

[pazzyanne]

92. Ahhh, a voice of reason!

Thank you, The Velveteen Ocelot!

[FarPoint]

47. That was my fist thought too.

Well...this is all a never-ending nightmare...

[totodeinhere]

58. It might be because we need to develop of better understanding of which other species besides

our own might be susceptible to the virus. This information could be helpful in the long run to our own species.

[Sgent]

101. Probably had it done by a ventinary lab

which doesn't have the same regulations / requirements as labs used for people. Its the same reason WA state found their first CV patient -- because the test was done in an academic lab -- even though doing so violated federal and state law.

[MosheFeingold]

110. It's important to know

If cats (big or little) can be vectors.

Be a huge problem if little cats can infect others.

[Beartracks]

4. People are animals, too. I think that's pretty good evidence.

Assume other animals can re-infect people, unless proven otherwise.

==========

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. There's no evidence so far that the tigers could re-infect people.

However, it's always a good idea to stay at least six feet away from tigers.

[Beartracks]

22. LOL

=========

[PatSeg]

33. Oh yes

I've practiced that precaution for years!!!

[Lulu KC]

41. Favorite chuckle of the day on DU

[paleotn]

83. Very wise. Very wise.

With all the dogs and cats around, very few have tested positive. And there is no evidence of transmission to humans. Apparently the virus can't easily infect feline or canine cells.

[emmaverybo]

89. Lol!

[pazzyanne]

93. LOL, I know I aways follow that protocol!

It tends to save my life.

[mwooldri]

95. Six feet? You know how far a tiger can pounce?

I don't but I figure it's more than six feet. Six metres might be a "good start".

[Lulu KC]

39. Yes! A basic fact that is so often forgotten!

Where is the SMH smilie? Need it now.

[orwell]

5. Wuh Woh...

...nice kitty...nice kitty

[defacto7]

6. I remember a dog that tested a weak positive some weeks ago. That was finally dismissed

as not true. Other tests took place and they determined it wasn't possible. But who knows.

[SunSeeker]

16. No, that dog definitely tested positive after multiple tests. Other dogs have also tested positive.

The Hong Kong government announced on March 26 that subsequent testing of blood drawn on March 3 from the first dog, the Pomeranian, was positive for antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19. The statement called the result proof that the dog had been infected. However, it underscored that cases of infection in dogs appear to be infrequent. As of March 25, the government had conducted tests on 17 dogs and eight cats from households with confirmed COVID-19 cases or persons in close contact with confirmed patients, and only two dogs had tested positive, according to the statement. https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=9564059

[defacto7]

18. Wow, I didn't know that. Thank you.

[CountAllVotes]

35. That 17 year old dog has died

Poor dog! He was probably caged and experimented on. He finally was given back to the owner and he died.

Stressed out and old did not help one bit.

RIP!

[SunSeeker]

65. He was a Pomeranian, who are already sensitive. He must have been so scared in quarantine.

Glad he was at least reunited with his owner before he died.

[Texin]

7. It's well known that dogs can be infected with corona viruses. Not sure about cats

(large or small). Corona virus infections are behind most respiratory symptoms in mammals, so it's not a surprise that they could be infected with CV19 too, and it makes me wonder if vets need to take a further look at whether domestic dogs and cats can develop that infection too. They've said no, but one has to wonder right now.

[CountAllVotes]

11. My late cat tested + for the corona virus

She apparently fought it off, hence the reason for the positive test result.

Had she not fought it off, she would have died of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) as a kitten.

She died at the age of 10 years after being poisoned by these flea treatments being sold and pushed by veterinarians! Neurotoxic paralysis is one horrific way to die.

Lesson: DO NOT USE THESE TOXIC POISONS ON YOUR CAT OR DOG PLEASE!

[LisaL]

12. Cats can be infected by corona viruses.

They can have quite a deadly disease, called feline infectious peritonitis.
"Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease of cats caused by certain strains of a virus called the feline coronavirus"
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-infectious-peritonitis

[mchill]

90. But that's a different Coronavirus

And it took 30 years of research to just get to an anti-viral for that one (only available in the Chinese Black Market) as Gilead wants to concentrate on Remdesivir. The “cure” is a pre-cursor to making Remdesivir which is one hopeful antiviral for COVID.

I went off track...just afraid for our cats if this unfolds.

[hamsterjill]

105. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is doing some promising work

FIP (“feline infectious peritonitis) happens in certain cats when the corona virus mutates and causes FIP. It has been a death sentence for cats.

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has some promising new research. Niels Pedersen has studied FIP for 50 years. The drug is GS441524 and more about the clinical trials can be found here:

https://ccah.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/cats/resources/feline-infectious-peritonitis-clinical-trials

I hope if there is any correlation with COVID-19 that the research on cats can be investigated to see if there is any overlap, and therefore hope.

[Mrs. Overall]

13. According to a recent article in Scientific American--yes, domestic cats can get coronavirus

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cats-can-get-coronavirus-study-suggests-but-pet-owners-need-not-panic/

Cats can be infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and spread it to other cats, but dogs are not really susceptible to the infection, according to researchers in China. The team, at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China, also concludes that chickens, pigs, and ducks are not likely to catch the virus.

Scientists say the findings are interesting, but that cat-owners should not be alarmed just yet. The results are based on lab experiments in which a small number of animals were deliberately infected with high doses of the virus, SARS-CoV-2, and do not represent real-life interactions between people and their pets, says virologist Linda Saif at The Ohio State University in Columbus. There is no direct evidence that the infected cats secreted enough coronavirus to infect people, she says.

With the coronavirus spreading rapidly around the world, some have raised concerns about whether the virus can pass between pets and people. So far, there have been a few reports of pets being infected: a cat in Belgium and two dogs in Hong Kong. “Cats and dogs are in close contact with humans, and therefore it is important to understand their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 for COVID-19 control,” write the authors of the latest study, a preprint posted on bioRxiv on 31 March.

[Sgent]

102. Yea don't think about that too hard

because they also euthanized them after 5 days to study their lungs / organs.

[SharonClark]

14. I think those tigers have been featured on

the Bronx Zoo program on Animal Planet. The program is addictive.
Hope everyone, animals and keepers, recover.

[Coventina]

26. Yes, they were stars of the very first episode.

They had to be hand-reared after their mom rejected them.

[Phoenix61]

48. I love that show. I learned so much about

how the Bronx Zoo was helping breed endangered species. The show about the frogs was super cool.

[Sancho]

21. Damn...there goes Fluffy....

...there is so much we don't know, and we've fired all the scientists.

[Coventina]

23. Nadia and her sister Azul are stars of the TV show "The Zoo"

This is very sad news.

There are so few Amur (Siberian) Tigers around, each one is precious.

Get well, Nadia!!!

[SheltieLover]

51. K&R

[cilla4progress]

52. So, is the conclusion here that

it is transmissible both ways between humans and our house pets???!!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

56. No. The article was clear that there's no evidence you can get it from a pet.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

76. There's also no evidence you cannot get it from animals.

See my post 70, above.

No scientifically conducted testing has been done, so they shouldn't mislead and suggest otherwise. Scientific groups have been occupied with more direct human concerns.

I've seen several other statements made using that same verbiage and true scientists would never say it that way. The general public would interpret it to mean we're always safe around domestic animals even though we don't know yet.

Best to exercise caution.

[cilla4progress]

91. Exercise caution?

What does that mean, in practice?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

94. Excellent question and I hope the pros give some clearer guidance soon.

If one has a domestic animal that's been exposed to a human with the virus, it would seem prudent to exercise caution and to particularly avoid getting pet saliva into the mouth, nose or eyes, either from licking or off ones hands.

It would be difficult to quarantine a pet, I'm sure.

Here's a video from early March that clears up a few questions:

Can my dog or cat spread coronavirus? – video explainer
Helen Davidson, Nikhita Chulani and Katie Lamborn
Fri 6 Mar 2020

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/mar/06/can-my-dog-or-cat-spread-coronavirus-video-explainer

----------------

From the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#covid19-animals

COVID-19 and Animals

There is no reason at this time to think that any animals, including pets, in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States.

Pets have other types of coronaviruses that can make them sick, like canine and feline coronaviruses. These other coronaviruses cannot infect people and are not related to the current COVID-19 outbreak.

However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to practice healthy habits around pets and other animals, such as washing your hands and maintaining good hygiene. For more information on the many benefits of pet ownership, as well as staying safe and healthy around animals including pets, livestock, and wildlife, visit CDC’s Healthy Pets, Healthy People website.

I think it's up to our individual discretion. As a high-risk individual, I tend to be extra cautious.......

[ffr]

54. ??? I'm fairly certain a tiger would have a 6' socal space around it from humans.

Am I wrong? If I'm not wrong in my assumption, how in the hell did this tiger acquire Covid-19?

[Chemisse]

57. Apparently caretakers are able to get closer to them safely.

I learned that from watching Tiger King.

[AllTooEasy]

113. Possible Answer: Mutual contact with an infected surface

From the WHO website (https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses):

"How long does the virus survive on surfaces?"

It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose."

[mahatmakanejeeves]

55. I'm glad I'm not the person who has to test big cats for COVID-19.

Here, kitty, kitty.

[mchill]

86. As a cat owner this horrifies me

If cats become a disease sink for this virus, they are not going to fair well unless they too get a vaccine or it is only a one way transmission. But why would it be the latter?

My mind is going to unspeakable places where our pet cats are taken from us. I keep mine indoors, but would that matter?

[Blasphemer]

97. I have similar fears...

At least pet cats are considered property (though I'm not sure how much that would matter in a public health emergency) but the poor animals in shelters and the strays wouldn't stand a chance.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

100. If Othello gets it

I would feel so bad .I'd feel suicidal because I adore my catfriend more than anything in this world. Cats big or small are sacred beings to me. Cats are love.

[Mrs. Overall]

104. Yes, cats are love!

May your kitty and all of our kitties stay healthy during this time.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

98. Nooo!

Sekhmet protect all felines from covid! Keep them safe and well.
T'Maat Sekhmet.

[MFM008]

103. Ive never heard

A cat cough, big or small.
Sneeze yes...

[EndlessWire]

116. They do. n/t

[jmowreader]

109. I wouldn't want to be the poor schmuck who had to intubate a tiger