Full recovery is expected for eight big cats at the Saint Louis Zoo who tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
Two African lions, two snow leopards, two jaguars, an Amur tiger and a puma recently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and are being closely monitored. Zoo officials say the spread of the virus was isolated to one area of the zoo – Big Cat Country – and that no other animals show signs of infection. All eight affected animals are being treated with preventive and ongoing care. Following a thorough investigation and risk assessment involving relevant staff, the zoo has been unable to identify the source of the infection, indicating that possibility it was transmitted by an asymptomatic carrier.
Zoo employees have been following COVID health and safety guidelines, including vaccination for staff, using personal protective equipment, and masking indoors anywhere at the zoo and when around potentially at-risk animals.
All of the cats at Big Cat Country received a two-dose series of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine specific for animals between Sept. 30 and Oct. 26, but were likely exposed prior to the second dose, according to Saint Louis Zoo director of animal health Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai.
“As in humans, we would expect that full protection against this virus would not be developed until a few weeks after the second injection in a series,” Chinnadurai said. “The vaccine, even partial immunization, likely helped our cats be able to mount a stronger immune response, and show fewer signs of illness for a shorter period of time than they would have if not previously vaccinated.”
To date, 50 animals at the zoo have received both vaccine doses and another 42 have received one dose.
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