COVID-19: Nasal swabs of Asiatic lions at Hyderabad Zoo collected for test

Hyderabad: Nasal swabs of eight Asiatic lions housed in Hyderabad Zoo who had tested positive for COVID-19 have been collected for test. It is expected that the reports will be negative.

Infection in the lions is believed to be the first case of human to the animal transmission of coronavirus in India.

According to a report published in the New Indian Express, the deputy director (veterinary) of the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) said that the nasal swabs of the lions have been sent to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and results are awaited. Negative reports are expected, he added.

Meanwhile, officials said that all the animals in Hyderabad Zoo is safe and none of them is showing any symptoms as the concerned authorities have taken appreciate steps after the detection of COVID-19 in the lions.

Necessary steps are being taken in the zoo to ensure that no other animal gets infected with the virus. A team of veterinary doctors is keeping watch on animals.