U.S. – 8 big cats test positive for Covid19 despite vaccination
The infected cats include two African lions, two snow leopards, an Amur tiger, a puma, and two jaguars. These animals had mild symptoms, although some had a cough and nasal discharge. Most of them did not show sign of any illness.
Zoo officials said that all of the cats were given two doses of the vaccine that is tailor-made for the animals. The two doses were administered during a roughly three-week period that began September 30, but the cats were likely exposed between doses.
The U.S. CDC has said that the risk of animals spreading the coronavirus to humans is low, however, people have been documented spreading the virus to animals across the world. The virus has been reported in cats, dogs, ferrets, minks, lions, tigers, pumas and gorillas.
