Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York has tested positive for Covid-19, making it the first known case of an animal being infected with the virus.
The four-year-old tiger, named Nadia, along with six other big cats, is thought to have been infected by an asymptomatic zoo keeper, according to the BBC.
According to zoo authorities, the cats started showing symptoms like dry cough last month.
“We tested the cat [Nadia] out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about Covid-19 will contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus,” the zoo said in a statement.
The animals are all expected to make a full recovery, the zoo said.
Experts have stressed that although there are isolated instances of pets testing positive for the virus around the world, there is no indication that animals can become sick or spread the virus.
Ironically, here in Pakistan, the prime minister established a force called Coronavirus Tiger Relief Force.
