International
Oi-Deepika S.
Washington, December 12: Three of the three snow tests tested positive for the Covid-19 in the United States, officials announced Friday. One of the three animals belonged to the Kentucky Zoo, while the other two belonged to the Louisville Zoo.
Snowflakes are now the sixth animal species to confirm infection with the virus.
Authorities took samples of three large cats when they found signs of respiratory illness, the Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories said in a statement.
Coronavirus cases: 27,071 new cases of covid in India Tel at 98,84,100
All three have shown mild symptoms and are being closely monitored, but are expected to fully recover, the Louisville Zoo said in a statement. Zoo officials said no other animals were showing symptoms.
Officials said the cats may have been infected by an asymptomatic staff member, despite precautions involving caregivers wearing personal protective equipment.
The zoo said the risk of infected animals spreading to humans is considered low and the zoo remains open, although the display of snow stars ceases when cats recover.
