Confirmation of COVID-19 in Hyenas at a Colorado Zoo
Published: Nov 5, 2021
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APHISpress@usda.gov
Washington, D.C., November 5, 2021 -- The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) today announced confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in two spotted hyenas at a zoo in Colorado.
These are the first hyenas confirmed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide.
Samples from a variety of species at the zoo, including the hyenas, were collected and tested after lions at the facility showed signs of illness. In addition to the two hyenas, eleven lions and two tigers at the zoo also tested positive for the virus.
Samples from the hyenas tested presumptive positive at the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the cases were confirmed at NVSL. NVSL serves as an international reference laboratory and provides expertise and guidance on diagnostic techniques, as well as confirmatory testing for foreign and emerging animal diseases. Such testing is required for certain animal diseases in the United States in order to comply with national and international reporting procedures. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) considers SARS-CoV-2 an emerging disease, and therefore USDA must report confirmed U.S. animal infections to the OIE.
SARS-CoV-2 infections have been reported in multiple animal species worldwide, mostly in animals that had close contact with a person with COVID-19. At this time, routine testing of animals is not recommended. The decision to test an animal, including companion animals, livestock or production animals, zoo animals, or wild animals (both captive and free-ranging), should be agreed upon using a One Health approach with the appropriate local and/or state officials as well as USDA and CDC. USDA will announce cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in animals each time the virus is found in a new species. Confirmed cases in animals are posted at
www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa_one_health/sars-cov-2-animals-us.
While additional animals may test positive as infections continue in people, it is important to note that performing this animal testing does not reduce the availability of tests for humans.
We are still learning about SARS-CoV-2 in animals. Based on the information available, the risk of animals spreading the virus to people is considered to be low.
People with COVID-19 can spread the virus to animals during close contact. It is important for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to avoid contact with animals, including pets, to protect them from possible infection.
For more information about COVID-19 and animals and recommendations for pet owners and people who work around animals, visit CDC’s COVID-19 and Animals website at
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/animals/pets-other-animals.html.
For more information about how and when to test animals, visit
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/animals/animal-testing.html and
www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/one_health/downloads/faq-public-on-companion-animal-testing.pdf
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https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2021/sa-11/covid-hyenas
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November 11, 2021
Two Denver Zoo Hyenas Test Positive for COVID-19
On November 5, we confirmed that two of our hyenas—Ngozi, 22, and Kibo, 23—tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. The results were confirmed at the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Fort Collins, CO, as well as the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory. They are believed to be the first hyenas confirmed with COVID-19 worldwide.
Animal Care staff describe that both animals have extremely mild symptoms, including slight lethargy, some nasal discharge and occasional coughs. They have maintained normal energy levels, and interaction with enrichment and their keepers. Hyenas are famously tough, resilient animals that are known to be highly tolerant to anthrax, rabies and distemper. They are otherwise healthy and expected to make a full recovery.
Meanwhile, other animals at the Zoo that have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks have either already fully recovered or are on the path to a full recovery.
Our two tigers—Yuri and Nikita—are clear of the virus and back to normal health, and our
11 lions are all either fully recovered or showing decreasing viral levels. We now know that many other species may be susceptible to COVID-19 based on multiple reports, and we continue to use the highest level of care and precaution when working with all of our 3,000 animals and 450 different species.
https://denverzoo.org/zootales/two-d...-for-covid-19/
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See also:
11 African Lions Test Positive For COVID At Denver Zoo
https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/...-at-denver-zoo
