BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Snow leopard at Louisville Zoo tests positive for virus

Close up of a beautiful snow leopard (Uncia uncia) with selective focus.

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

ovp test

mLife Diagnostics LLC: Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Male shot by female at Shreveport apartment

Class to create biodiverse backyard

Rules for outbursts at Caddo School Board Meeting

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

LOUISVILLE, KY (NewsNation Now) — A snow leopard at the Louisville Zoo has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus in humans, the zoo said Friday. Federal officials said this was the first snow leopard to test positive for the virus in the United States.

The snow leopard, named NeeCee, has mild symptoms. The zoo said they are also testing two other male snow leopards, Kimti and Meru. All three showed mild symptoms and are being monitored closely, but are expected to make full recoveries, the Louisville Zoo said in a statement. The symptoms include respiratory symptoms like a dry cough or wheeze.

No other animals were exhibiting symptoms, the zoo said.

The cats were likely infected by an asymptomatic staff member, despite precautions that included caretakers wearing personal protective equipment, officials said.

The cats are off exhibit and will be in quarantine until the symptoms have resolved and they have tested negative. No other animals are showing symptoms.

“Zoo keepers working with cats, non-human primates, bats and ferrets wear PPE when near the animals. All Zoo staff go through a health screening at the start of their day, stay at home if feeling unwell and get tested if symptoms arise,” the Zoo said in a statement.

The zoo said the risk of infected animals spreading the virus to humans is considered to be low and the zoo remains open, though the snow leopard exhibit is closed while the cats recover.

Mid-South

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Fog

la

51°F Fog Feels like 51°
Wind
3 mph NNE
Humidity
89%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Cloudy. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
52°F Cloudy. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
3 mph SW
Precip
24%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent