OmniVira

SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Zoonoses to Pumas and Lions, South Africa.

Katja Natalie Koeppel1,2 Adriano Mendes3 Amy Strydom3 Lia Rotherham4 Misheck Mulumba4 Marietjie Venter3
Affiliations 4 institutions
  1. Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa.
  2. Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
  3. Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Program, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department for Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa.
  4. Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa.
PMID35062324 DOI10.3390/v14010120 Year2022 Journal Viruses Languageeng Statusepublish

Abstract

Reverse-zoonotic infections of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from humans to wildlife species internationally raise concern over the emergence of new variants in animals. A better understanding of the transmission dynamics and pathogenesis in susceptible species will mitigate the risk to humans and wildlife occurring in Africa. Here we report infection of an exotic puma (July 2020) and three African lions (July 2021) in the same private zoo in Johannesburg, South Africa. One Health genomic surveillance identified transmission of a Delta variant from a zookeeper to the three lions, similar to those circulating in humans in South Africa. One lion developed pneumonia while the other cases had mild infection. Both the puma and lions remained positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA for up to 7 weeks.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
reverse zoonosis 38 SARS-CoV-2 550 wildlife 48 Animals 1948 Animals, Zoo 18 COVID-19 425 Genome, Viral 317 Humans 1440 Lions 8 One Health 14 Phylogeny 805 Puma 2 RNA, Viral 193 SARS-CoV-2 453 South Africa 13 Viral Load 36 Viral Zoonoses 65

Evidence records

3 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
2 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Viral Detection
2 records
OVE5572 Viral Detection
Key finding

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in an exotic puma in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
puma Puma concolor Natural host
Location
South Africa
Supporting text

Here we report infection of an exotic puma (July 2020) ... in the same private zoo in Johannesburg, South Africa. Both the puma and lions remained positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA for up to 7 weeks.

Method
genomic surveillance | viral RNA detection
Sample type
unspecified samples (reported as SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection)
Geographic raw
Johannesburg, South Africa
Country inferred
ZAF
OVE5573 Viral Detection
Key finding

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in three African lions in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
lion Panthera leo Natural host
Location
South Africa
Supporting text

Here we report infection of ... three African lions (July 2021) in the same private zoo in Johannesburg, South Africa. Both the puma and lions remained positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA for up to 7 weeks.

Method
genomic surveillance | viral RNA detection
Sample type
unspecified samples (reported as SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection)
Geographic raw
Johannesburg, South Africa
Country inferred
ZAF
Transmission Evidence
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Cross-species Transmission
1 records
OVE5574 Cross-species Transmission
Key finding

Genomic surveillance confirmed human-to-lion transmission of the SARS‑CoV‑2 Delta variant from a zookeeper to three lions in South Africa.

Virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Host
lion Panthera leo Natural host human Homo sapiens Natural host
Location
South Africa
Supporting text

One Health genomic surveillance identified transmission of a Delta variant from a zookeeper to the three lions, similar to those circulating in humans in South Africa.

Method
genomic surveillance | RNA detection
Study design
One Health genomic surveillance case investigation at private zoo
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Geographic raw
South Africa