COVID-19 in India: 8 Asiatic Lions tests positive

India has reported the first instances of coronavirus cases detected in animals. The national media reported that eight Asiatic lions have tested positive for COVID-19. Indian newspaper The Hindu stated that the entre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) informed the authorities on the phone that the RT-PCR tests of the lions is positive. However, CCMB samples were collected from the animals involved stated that it would take a few days to give more detailed confirmation.

The CCMB will carry out detailed research of the samples for genome sequencing to find out if the strain came from human beings or not.

The scientist advised the officials to take anticipations and start the medication at the earliest. The zoo officials are likely to conduct a CT Scan of the lions to know the impact of the infection on their lungs.

The Zoo Director and Curator, Dr Siddhanand Kukrety and VVL Subhadra Devi individually did not return to the renewed calls by this correspondent to deny or approve the news regularly.

However, another source on the 380-acre campus, which house more than 1,500 inmates, announced that results from the CCMB would be presented to Ms Subhadra Devi in an hour or two and to inform them the scientists have literally told the higher-up about the results.

“Yes, the lions were tested after performing mild signs. As of now, they are working and are doing well,” the officer replied, adding that four male and four big female cats were housed in the 40-acre Safari area."

He stated that on April 24, caretakers mentioned that these big cats exhibited signs like dry cough, nasal outflow, and loss of hunger and soon informed the veterinary team. Soon, the vets took oropharyngeal swab specimens of the feline and sent them to CCMB, where the experts are likely to do genome sequencing to find out if the pressure came from human beings.