Researchers flag concerns that animals may incubate new Covid variants

Researchers advise measures such as mask-wearing and infection control when dealing with captive animals. Picture: BLOOMBERG

A 2020 study of faeces from two pumas that had diarrhoea, nasal discharge and anorexia showed the animals had Covid-19 and made a full recovery after 23 days, the University of Pretoria said in a statement on Tuesday. A year later, in the midst of SA’s Delta-driven third wave, three lions, one of which had pneumonia, tested positive for the coronavirus.

Measures such as mask-wearing and infection control when dealing with captive animals, as well as barriers so that visitors to zoos can’t get too close to them, are advisable, the researchers said.

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