December 12th
On the 11th local time, three snow leopards in the American zoo tested positive for COVID-19.
The Louisville Zoo in Kentucky and the Department of Agriculture Animal and Animal Health Inspection confirmed that two male and a female snow leopard were tested for the novel coronavirus, becoming the sixth animal to be infected with the virus, CNN reported.
Louisville Zoo director John Walchak said in a video statement that the female snow leopards were the first to get infected. The three snow leopards had mild symptoms, including wheezing and dry cough.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said that despite the precautions taken by the zoo, the leopard was likely to have been infected by an asymptomatic staff member.
Snow leopards became one of the sixth animals to be infected with the virus after close contact with humans. The first is the Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. Malayan tigers showed respiratory symptoms in April this year.
Eight large cats at the zoo, including four tigers and three African lions, were also confirmed to be infected with the virus at the end of April.
The report pointed out that a small number of dogs and cats in the United States have been infected with the virus.
In addition, several mink farms in the United States and many other countries have also had outbreaks of the novel coronavirus.
