Researchers from the University of Arizona report the first documented instance of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from a zoo lion to a human. The findings appear in the preprint database medRxiv and remain preliminary until verified by peer review in a scientific journal. [citation medRxiv]
The unnamed lion, about 20 years old, contracted the virus at the Indiana Zoo in December 2021. That age places the animal in a senior category for lions. The lion developed severe symptoms, including shortness of breath and a persistent cough, and was euthanized three days after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Two zookeepers became infected with a virus strain that matched the lion’s genome, despite not having direct contact with any sick people. [citation medRxiv]
Researchers hypothesize that the lion acquired the virus from an asymptomatic zookeeper. Earlier in 2021, the lion had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine intended for non-human use. [citation medRxiv]
The lion suffered from kidney disease and spinal degeneration, requiring hand feeding and close human interaction. This situation likely increased the chance that keepers contracted the virus from the animal before any symptoms appeared. Generally, the risk of animal-to-human transmission in zoo settings is considered low, and this case represents the first confirmed instance of a zoo animal passing SARS-CoV-2 to a person. [citation medRxiv]
Other studies have shown domestic cats and dogs can contract SARS-CoV-2 from their owners, with cats posing particular risk due to shared virus receptors that can lead to serious illness or death in some cases. [citation medRxiv]
The first known animal infection linked to SARS-CoV-2 occurred in a tiger at a New York zoo in April 2021. Since then, other species in captivity, including gorillas, snow leopards, hippos, hyenas, and giraffes, have been reported to harbor the virus in zoo environments. [citation medRxiv]