From People to <i>Panthera</i> : Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Tigers and Lions at the Bronx Zoo

TLDR

The human‑animal‑environment interface of SARS‑CoV‑2 is a critical One Health concern, yet few studies document natural animal infections or link them to human cases via genomic data. This study reports the first natural SARS‑CoV‑2 infections in U.S. tigers and lions and presents epidemiologic and genetic evidence of human‑to‑animal transmission.

Abstract

The human-animal-environment interface of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important aspect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that requires robust One Health-based investigations. Despite this, few reports describe natural infections in animals or directly link them to human infections using genomic data. In the present study, we describe the first cases of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in tigers and lions in the United States and provide epidemiological and genetic evidence for human-to-animal transmission of the virus. Our data show that tigers and lions were infected with different genotypes of SARS-CoV-2, indicating two independent transmission events to the animals. Importantly, infected animals shed infectious virus in respiratory secretions and feces. A better understanding of the susceptibility of animal species to SARS-CoV-2 may help to elucidate transmission mechanisms and identify potential reservoirs and sources of infection that are important in both animal and human health.