Denver Zoo reports world's first coronavirus cases in hyenas

DENVER – Two hyenas astatine the Denver Zoo person tested affirmative for the coronavirus, the archetypal confirmed cases among the animals worldwide, a nationalist veterinary laboratory announced Friday.

Samples from a assortment of animals astatine the zoo, including the spotted hyenas, were tested aft respective lions astatine the installation became ill, according to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories. The hyena samples tested presumptive affirmative astatine a laboratory astatine Colorado State University, and the cases were confirmed by the nationalist lab.

In summation to the 2 hyenas, 11 lions and 2 tigers astatine the zoo tested affirmative for the virus.

“Hyenas are famously tough, resilient animals that are known to beryllium highly tolerant to anthrax, rabies and distemper. They are different steadfast and expected to marque a afloat recovery,” the zoo said successful a statement.

Zoo officials said the hyenas — 22-year-old Ngozi and 23-year-old Kibo — are experiencing mild symptoms, including flimsy lethargy, immoderate nasal discharge and an occasional cough.

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The different animals that tested affirmative successful caller weeks person either afloat recovered oregon are connected the way to a afloat recovery.

“We present cognize that galore different taxon whitethorn beryllium susceptible to COVID-19 based connected aggregate reports, and we proceed to usage the highest level of attraction and precaution erstwhile moving with each of our 3,000 animals and 450 antithetic species,” the connection said.

Infections person been reported successful aggregate taxon worldwide, mostly successful animals that had adjacent interaction with a idiosyncratic with COVID-19, according the the United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees the NVSL. A quality merchandise Friday said scientists are inactive learning astir coronavirus infections successful animals, but based connected the accusation available, the hazard of animals spreading the microorganism to radical is low.

People with COVID-19 should debar adjacent interaction with animals, including pets, to support them from imaginable infection, according to the quality release.

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The NVSL serves arsenic an planetary notation lab, providing investigating for overseas and emerging carnal diseases, arsenic good arsenic offering guidance connected diagnostic techniques.

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