johannesburg: The infected animal operators of a private zoo in South Africa who did not have any symptoms of COVID-19, the lions there were ‘Delta’ form of Coronavirus. Variant) got infected. These lions also showed symptoms like breathing problems, runny nose and dry cough. This has been revealed in a recent study by a team of scientists from the University of Pretoria.
In a recently published study in the journal Viruses, researchers urged people to be aware of the potential for their pet cats and dogs to become infected if they are infected with the coronavirus. The team was led by Professor Marietji Venter, Head of Zoonotic, Arbo-End Respiratory Virus Program in the University’s Department of Medical Virology, and Katja Koppel, Associate Professor of Wildlife Health in the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences.
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They conducted a study on three sick lions in zoos during the third wave of the COVID-19 global pandemic in South Africa in late 2021. The university said in a statement, “A team of transdisciplinary (interdisciplinary) scientists found that infected animal operators in a private zoo in Gauteng (province) who had no symptoms of COVID-19 were infected with the lions of the coronavirus.” delta’ form. Infection with the ‘delta’ form of animals can lead to a serious illness. These animals were found infected in PCR tests for seven weeks after becoming ill.
The scientists said that the risk was increased due to their prolonged exposure and therefore they were kept in isolation until they were confirmed not infected. Koppel said the lions had symptoms such as breathing problems, runny nose and dry cough for 15 days. A close watch was kept on them and after 15 to 25 days, three lions were completely cured. Genome sequencing of all staff and lion samples was performed, confirming their ‘delta’ form of infection. It is worth noting that about a year ago, two cougars (pumas) were also found infected with the corona virus in the zoo.