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URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – Researchers at the U of I’s College of Veterinary Medicine have been testing wild animals for COVID-19 since the pandemic was first reported.
In the school’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, over 50 completely different species have been examined for COVID-19 to this point.
They had been the first place to detect constructive circumstances in sure species. Among these are: snow leopards, tigers and lions. Most lately, that record has grown to incorporate binturongs, coatimundis and fishing cats.
Zoos from across the country ship samples to the lab. The testing course of is the identical as human SHIELD testing, however getting saliva samples from an enormous cat isn’t straightforward.
“Unfortunately for those animals, especially the larger animals, it’s difficult to obtain and also stresses the animals if we do the anesthesia,” Clinical Assistant Professor Leyi Wang stated.
He stated people are transmitting the virus to the animals, and it’s laborious to foretell mutation if animals unfold it additional.
They’ve been efficiently testing animals since 2020, they usually plan to proceed. But no must ship them your pet’s spit, although… They stated it’s largely zoos sending in samples.
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