A Malayan tiger at Zoo Knoxville has reportedly tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the same virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, while two others are presumed positive pending test results.
Arya, a 6-year-old female Tiger, and two 11-year-old males, Bashir and Tanvir, each experienced mild coughing, lethargy and decrease in appetite, which led to testing for a range of potential causes, including SARS-CoV-2, Zoo Knoxville announced on its Facebook account Friday.
Samples for Bashir were confirmed as positive by the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories and confirmation for the other two tigers is in process, but are also presumed positive.
Arya, Bashir and Tanvir were placed into and will remain in quarantine until they are symptom free for 72 hours and/or all diagnostic tests are negative or 14 days have passed since the last positive test in accordance with CDC guidelines.
All three tigers are being cared for by the veterinary team from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and are alert, active and no longer showing symptoms, according to Zoo Knoxville.
The zoo said it's working with state and local animal and human agencies to determine the source of the infection, which is suspected to be an asymptomatically infected staff member working in close proximity to the tigers when caring for them, although not confirmed as of Friday afternoon.
No other animals at Zoo Knoxville have shown signs of SARS-CoV-2 or coronavirus.
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