Guwahati News Desk: Nine big cats at the National Zoo in Washington have tested positive for the coronavirus, that causes Covid-19.
The information was released by the Smithsonian Institution on Friday.
According to sources, the animal caretakers observed appetites, coughing, sneezing and lethargy in six African lions, a Sumatran tiger and two Amur tigers, and final results were expected in coming days to confirm the presumptive positive coronavirus test results.
The zoo said on its official website, “All lions and tigers are being treated with anti-inflammatories and anti-nausea medication to address discomfort and decreased appetite.”
It further added that they were also being treated with antibiotics for possible secondary bacterial pneumonia.
However, the zoo officials said that they did not know how the animals were being infected and pointed out that staff members needed to wear masks around the animals.
Moreover, no other animals were showing coronavirus symptoms, but an experimental veterinary coronavirus vaccine is to be distributed to the animals deemed at risk of the disease.
Photo | Representative Image
