Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
SARS-CoV-2 infection and treatment in North American zoo tigers
By Heniff, Ashlyn C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2024·College of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: SARS-CoV-2 morbidity, treatment interventions, and vaccination practices in tigers (Panthera tigris ssp) in North American zoos.
Plain-English summary
A group of tigers in North American zoos were found to have COVID-19, with symptoms like coughing, lack of appetite, and lethargy. Out of 162 tigers studied, 39 were diagnosed with the virus, but most showed only mild to moderate signs and recovered without needing much treatment. Some tigers had been vaccinated against COVID-19 before getting infected, but they were still susceptible to the virus. Thankfully, there were no reported deaths from COVID-19 among these tigers.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate SARS-CoV-2 morbidity, mortality, clinical signs, treatment interventions, and vaccination practices in tigers under professional care. ANIMALS: Amur (Panthera tigris altaica), Sumatran (Panthera tigris sumatrae), and Malayan (Panthera tigris jacksoni) tigers managed under the Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP). METHODS: A retrospective, voluntary online survey was sent to all North American zoos holding SSP tigers between January 2020 and June 2023. RESULTS: Responses were received from 55 of 108 institutions (51%) housing 162 tigers in total, and SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed in 39 tigers from 15 institutions (20 Amur, 8 Sumatran, and 11 Malayan [1 to 18 years old; 17 males and 22 females]). This corresponds to a minimum study group infection incidence of 24% over 42 months. Clinical signs included dry cough (82%), inappetence (64%), lethargy (62%), nasal discharge (46%), wheezing (31%), wet cough (18%), and ocular discharge (15%). Most cases were characterized as mild (n = 22) or moderate (14). A single case was characterized as severe. Two cases were asymptomatic. Seventeen positive tigers had been vaccinated once (n = 8) or twice (9) for SARS-CoV-2 prior to infection. No deaths due to SARS-CoV-2 were reported in the study group. Treatment interventions included antibiotics (49%), NSAIDs (18%), antiemetics (15%), and fluids (13%). No treatments were administered in 19 of 39 cases (49%). Amongst participating institutions, 69% reported fully vaccinating tigers for SARS-CoV-2 (≥ 2 doses). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Most SARS-CoV-2-infected tigers presented with mild to moderate clinical signs and recovered with limited to no treatment interventions. Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections can occur in tigers and may be underreported. Tigers vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 remain susceptible to infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38640954/