Two hippos tested positive for Covid-19 at the Antwerp Zoo, Belgium, in what could be the first recorded case in the species, zoo officials said.
The 14-year-old Imani and 41-year-old Hermien hippos have no symptoms other than a runny nose, but the zoo said the two were quarantined as a precaution.
“As far as I know, this is the first time in this species. All over the world, the virus has been seen mainly in great apes and cats,” said zoo veterinarian Francis Vercammen.
Pets, including cats, dogs and ferrets, have become infected after contact with their owners, while in zoos, cases have been reported in animals such as big cats, otters, primates and hyenas.
The disease has also spread to mink farms and wild animals such as deer.
Antwerp Zoo is investigating the causes of the contagion. None of the zoo’s keepers have recently shown symptoms of Covid-19 or tested positive for the virus, the zoo said.
Reference: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
