Lioness dies of suspected coronavirus in city

Lioness dies of suspected coronavirus in city

Nine Lions At Vandalur Zoo Test Positive

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.06.2021

A nine-year-old lioness died of suspected coronavirus infection on Thursday evening at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) in Vandalur near Chennai. Nine more lions at the zoo have tested positive for SARS CoV-2.

Specimens collected from the animals were sent to National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, on 24th and 29th May after some animals showed infection symptoms, including nasal discharge. The institute confirmed the virus infection on Thursday morning. As per protocol, any suspected death due to coronavirus in zoos must be reconfirmed by Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. Samples have been sent to these institutes for confirmation. Results are awaited.

According to a statement from the zoo authorities, the CCMB, which is the approved virus sequencing centre of the Central Zoo Authority, will carry out genome sequencing of the virus strain for better understanding of zoonotic transmission to prevent further infection spread. A veterinarian from the state animal husbandry department said the virus could have been transmitted from humans (animal keepers/workers).

Virus can reach up to 2 metres, survive for three days

The virus can reach up to two meters and can be alive for three days. Animals carry many viruses, but they are not as fatal as coronavirus, a source said. Prophylactic measures for mammals, reptiles, birds and primates in consultation with an expert team from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas), veterinarians from Hyderabad zoo and Bronx Zoo in the US, have been adopted at the Vandalur zoo.

All the lions that tested positive are under observation and are being cared for in line with the prescribed treatment regimen by inhouse veterinary team in coordination with Tanuvas experts.

Vandalur zoo authorities are getting information about the treatment protocol for coronavirus-infected animals from the Hyderabad zoo and the Jaipur zoo, where similar incidents took place sometime ago. At present, Vandalur zoo houses six lions and seven lionesses, but no cubs.

All animal-keepers and helpers in the zoo have been inoculated. A separate team of animal-keepers has been engaged for each group of lions. PPE kits are mandatory for animal-keepers, veterinarians and field staff.

The Vandulur zoo was closed on April 24 after the state government announced a lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. Subsequently, precautionary measures were implemented in the zoo to avoid the spread of the virus. It’s not known how the lions were infected, a source said.

All the lions that tested positive are under observation and are being cared for in line with the prescribed treatment regimen