This is the first time a snow leopard has been infected with the coronavirus of this kind.
At the Louisville Zoo in the US state of Kentucky, a snow leopard has been confirmed to have a coronavirus infection. This was announced on Friday, December 11, by the institution's Twitter.
It is noted that such a case was recorded at the zoo for the first time.
An update from Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak about the Louisville Zoo's snow leopards Meru, Kimti and Neecee. More information at https://t.co/ywVzP9H0VI pic.twitter.com/3tzAND7NEp
— Louisville Zoo (@LouisvilleZoo) December 11, 2020
“The test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 in humans, was positive in the snow leopard Nisi. The zoo is awaiting the results of the analysis of two more male leopards: Kimti and Meru,” it said.
All three leopards have mild symptoms of the disease: coughing and wheezing. At the same time, animals generally feel good. No coronavirus was detected in other inhabitants of the zoo.
The press service of the zoo explained that, according to their version, the cat became infected from one of the zoo employees, who had an asymptomatic infection. Currently, the leopards have been quarantined. It is noted that the staff closely monitors their health.
Recall that scientists have found that in the animal kingdom, ferrets and, to a lesser extent, cats, civets, and dogs are the most susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic coronavirus.
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