Snow leopard tests positive for COVID-19 in US zoo, sixth animal species to be infected

A snow leopard in Kentucky, United States has tested positive for COVID-19 infection this week. female big cat seems to have contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection after coming in contact with COVID-19 positive humans. Meanwhile, two or male snow leopards are being tested for disease at Louisville zoo after showing mild symptoms. 

According to US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, three animals have mild symptoms of infection, including dry cough and wheezing. snow leopards were all tested at a regional veterinary diagnostic center, zoo facilities informed in a statement. 

Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak said in an online dress that female leopard named NeeCee got positive diagnosis first, followed by males testing positive. In a press release, Louisville zoo said that it continues to monitor NeeCee, Kimti, and Meru’s health and anticipates continued improvement in coming days. "All three cats are expected to recover. No or animals are showing symptoms at this time,"  authorities informed. 

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First confirmed cases in leopards

While zoo workers here to health safety protocols listed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Louisville Metro Health and Wellness and wear PPE kits, an asymptomatic staff transmitted virus to leopards, as was established after animals started to exhibit minor respiratory symptoms.

Fecal samples from all three cats were sent to Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine. animals were isolated immediately. keepers meanwhile were not at a high risk as to chances of snow leopards, spreing virus to humans is considered low, zoo informed.

"This is first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a snow leopard,"  authorities said. Thus far, cats, dogs, and mink were known to contract novel coronavirus and also for transmitting it among humans as per cases recorded. Denmark h recently ordered to cull up to 17 million mink that h tested positive to COVID-19 at farms. As per reports, minks posed risks of more mutation of virus transmitted back to humans.

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