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From people to Panthera: Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo

D. McAloose, M. Laverack, L. Wang, M. L. Killian, L. C. Caserta, F. Yuan, P. K. Mitchell, K. Queen, M. R. Mauldin, B. D. Cronk, S. L. Bartlett, J. M. Sykes, S. Zec, T. Stokol, K. Ingerman, M. A. Delaney, R. Fredrickson, M. Ivancic, M. Jenkins-Moore, K. Mozingo, K. Franzen, N. Hines Bergeson, L. Goodman, H. Wang, Y. Fang, , D. G. Diel

PDFDOIPreprint

Abstract

We describe the first cases of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection detected in animals in the United States. In March 2020, four tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo developed mild respiratory signs. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by rRT-PCR in respiratory secretions and/or feces from all seven affected animals; viral RNA and/or antibodies were detected in their keepers. SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from respiratory secretions or feces from three affected animals; in situ hybridization co-localized viral RNA with cellular damage. Whole genome sequence and haplotype network analyses showed tigers and lions were infected with two different SARS-CoV-2 strains, suggesting independent viral introductions. The source of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lions is unknown. Epidemiological data and genetic similarities between keeper and tiger viruses indicate human to animal transmission.

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