A tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19 after multiple animals developed virus symptoms, federal officials confirmed. Nadia, a four-year-old Malayan tiger, was tested after her sister Azul, two Amur tigers and three African lions developed a dry cough. The animals are all expected to recover.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the tests Sunday and is working with the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) along with state animal and public health leaders to determine if animals, at the zoo or in other areas, should be tested for cornavirus.
“This is the first case of its kind,” the USDA said in a statement. Public health officials believe the animals became sick after being exposed to an infected employee “who was actively shedding virus.”
