The staff of the Antwerp Zoo in Belgium said that tests had confirmed that two hippopotamuses in the zoo had been infected with Covid-19, in what could be the first recorded cases of this species.
The hippopotamuses Imani, 14, and Hermine, 41, did not show any symptoms other than a runny nose, but the zoo said they were placed in quarantine as a precaution.
“As far as I know, this is the first time this species has been infected. Mainly and around the world, gorillas, lions and tigers… have been infected with this virus,” said Francis Verkamen, a veterinarian at the zoo.
It is believed that the Corona virus was transmitted from animal to human, and it has been proven that it was transmitted from humans to animals.
Pets, including cats, dogs and rodents, were infected after contact with their infected owners, while in zoos, injuries to lions, tigers, sea dogs, hyenas and others were recorded.
The disease also broke out in mink farms and infected wild animals such as deer.
The Antwerp Zoo is investigating the causes of infection, and said that no symptoms of Covid-19 infection have recently been shown or confirmed by any of the guards.
