Bronx Zoo tiger with coronavirus shows signs of improvement

The Bronx Zoo tiger infected with COVID-19 is “showing evidence of improvement every day,” its chief veterinarian said this week.

Nadia, a 4-year-old Malayan tiger, and at least a half dozen of the zoo’s other sick big cats, are responding well to treatment, which for some includes anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics, said Dr. Paul Calle, news station KMGH reported.

“Some are on anti-inflammatory medications,” Calle said. “They get some TLC from their keepers. There are some on antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections.”

The Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the zoo, said in a statement Sunday that Nadia tested positive for the virus after coming down with a dry cough and other flu-like symptoms.

Six other big cats at the zoo, including Nadia’s twin sister Azul, developed similar symptoms, the group said.

“Fortunately, they’re showing evidence of improvement every day and you know it’s just symptomatic treatment,” Calle said.

Calle said that the group of animals was likely infected by an asymptomatic zookeeper, though they haven’t identified a “specific person.”

“It’s from a person — this is a people disease now,” Calle said. “It’s being transmitted from person to person and I’m sure [it was] one of our staff who never got sick and was shedding and never knew they were infected or was shedding before they got sick.”