The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on Monday asked all zoosacross the country to be on high alert and collect samples fortnightly insuspected cases after a tiger at a US zoo tested positive for coronavirus.
In a letter to all states and Union territories, CZA MemberSecretary S P Yadav said the United States Department of Agriculture’s NationalVeterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed Covid-19 in a tiger at the BronxZoo in New York.
“Zoos in the country are, therefore, advised to remainon highest alertness, and monitor animals 24X7 using CCTVs for any abnormalbehaviour or symptoms,” it said.
The authority said mammals, especially cats, ferrets andprimates, need to be carefully monitored and fortnightly samples of suspectedcases be sent to designated animal health institutes for Covid-19 testing.