The Louisville Zoo said one of their animals has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.The animal is a 5-year-old female snow leopard named NeeCee.Zoo officials said the two other male leopards are also showing symptoms and have been tested, but they are awaiting results.The cats have mild symptoms, zoo staff said. They have had slight respiratory issues, including an occasional cough or wheeze over the last two weeks. As for how the leopard contracted it, zoo officials suspect it came from an asymptomatic zoo employee. They said based on current information, they believe the risk of infected animals spreading the virus to humans is considered low. Currently, the zoo said they screen all employees at the beginning of the work day.Senior staff veterinarian Dr. Zoli Gyimesi said based on other cases with large cats around the country, it doesn’t appear it will be life-threatening to the cats.No other animals are currently showing symptoms, they said.This is the first recorded positive case in a snow leopard ever, the zoo said, and USDA data shows only one other animal in Kentucky has tested positive — a domestic cat. WLKY will update this story.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
The Louisville Zoo said one of their animals has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.
The animal is a 5-year-old female snow leopard named NeeCee.
Zoo officials said the two other male leopards are also showing symptoms and have been tested, but they are awaiting results.
The cats have mild symptoms, zoo staff said. They have had slight respiratory issues, including an occasional cough or wheeze over the last two weeks.
As for how the leopard contracted it, zoo officials suspect it came from an asymptomatic zoo employee. They said based on current information, they believe the risk of infected animals spreading the virus to humans is considered low.
Currently, the zoo said they screen all employees at the beginning of the work day.
Senior staff veterinarian Dr. Zoli Gyimesi said based on other cases with large cats around the country, it doesn’t appear it will be life-threatening to the cats.
No other animals are currently showing symptoms, they said.
This is the first recorded positive case in a snow leopard ever, the zoo said, and USDA data shows only one other animal in Kentucky has tested positive — a domestic cat.
WLKY will update this story.