A tiger at a Pine County wildlife sanctuary tested positive for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, making it the second confirmed captive or domestic animal case in the state.
A Carver County house cat tested positive in June, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.
"It's a good reminder that the virus can be transmitted from people to animals," said Dr. Beth Thompson, state veterinarian. People who test positive with COVID-19 or suspect they have it should avoid contact with pets and other animals to protect them from possible infection, state officials said.
"We have not seen any evidence of COVID passing from pet or wild captive cats to humans," said state Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Joni Scheftel.
Staff at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Pine County noticed in early January that there were lions, tigers and cougars that were displaying COVID-19 symptoms. After consulting with state animal health officials about testing for the virus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed Sabrina, a 21-year-old female Sumatran/Bengal tiger, had COVID-19.
Sanctuary officials said they didn't test all the cats with symptoms because it wouldn't have changed the course of treatment or outcome for the cats. But because of Sabrina's age and chronic health issues, she was sedated on Jan. 10, examined by the sanctuary's veterinarian and swab samples taken to be tested for COVID-19.
Sabrina has since recovered.
"Though some of the animals experienced a decrease in appetite and intermittent wheezing, they are all bright, alert and responsive under close veterinary care," said sanctuary executive director Tammy Thies. "None of the cats are showing symptoms at this time and all are expected to fully recover."
