A Belgian zoo has confirmed that two hippopotamuses have tested positive for coronavirus in what could be the first reported cases in the species.
Hippos Imani (aged 14) and Hermien (41 years old), have no other symptoms than a runny nose.
Antwerp Zoo in Belgium said the pair had been put into quarantine as a precaution.
Belgian Zoo confirms that coronavirus has been detected in two of its hippopotamuses. It could have been the first known case in this species. (stock photo)
Although it is not clear how they contracted the virus from hippos, staff did test them after seeing them ‘expelling stink’.
This is the first instance of it in this particular species, according to me. Francis Vercammen, zoo vet said that this virus was mostly reported in felines and great apes around the world.
Antwerp Zoo is currently investigating the cause of contagion. According to the Zoo, none of the zookeepers tested positive or showed COVID-19 symptoms in the past.
Hippos Imani is aged 14 and Hermien, 41. They have no symptoms other than a runny nasal (stock photo).
Coronavirus has been shown to have spread from animals to humans.
Infected pets include cats, ferrets and dogs. However, in Zoos cases of infection have been reported for big cats and other large animals like otters and primates.
This disease is also spreading to mink farms, wild animals and deer.