From people to Panthera: Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo

McAloose, Denise; Laverack, Melissa; Wang, Leyi; Killian, Mary Lea; Caserta, Leonardo C; Yuan, Fangfeng; Mitchell, Patrick K; Queen, Krista; Mauldin, Matthew R; Cronk, Brittany D; Bartlett, Susan L; Sykes, John M; Zec, Stephanie; Stokol, Tracy; Ingerman, Karen; Delaney, Martha A; Fredrickson, Richard; Ivancic, Marina; Jenkins-Moore, Melinda; Mozingo, Katie; Franzen, Kerrie; Bergeson, Nichole Hines; Goodman, Laura; Wang, Haibin; Fang, Ying; Olmstead, Colleen; McCann, Colleen; Thomas, Patrick; Goodrich, Erin; Elvinger, Francois; Smith, David C; Wang, Suxiang; Slavinski, Sally; Calle, Paul P; Terio, Karen; Torchetti, Mia Kim; Diel, Diego G

We describe the first cases of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection detected in animals in the United States. In March 2020, four tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo developed mild respiratory signs. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by rRT-PCR in respiratory secretions and/or feces from all seven affected animals; viral RNA and/or antibodies were detected in their keepers. SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from respiratory secretions or feces from three affected animals; in situ hybridization co-localized viral RNA with cellular damage. Whole genome sequence and haplotype network analyses showed tigers and lions were infected with two different SARS-CoV-2 strains, suggesting independent viral introductions. The source of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lions is unknown. Epidemiological data and genetic similarities between keeper and tiger viruses indicate human to animal transmission.