Chennai: Genome sequencing samples of four of the nine lions, which tested positive for SARS Cov-2 at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) at Vandalur, has revealed that they are Delta variants as per World Health Organisation (WHO) nomenclature.
The AAZP authorities requested the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseas (NIHSAD), Bhopal, to share the results of genome sequencing of the SARS Cov-2 virus that has infected the lions at AAZP.
Responding to it, the ICAR-NIHSAD Director informed the AAZP that ‘genome sequencing of four of the samples was done at NIHSAD. Analysis of the sequences shows that all the four sequences belong to Pangolin lineage B.1.617.2 and are Delta variants as per WHO nomenclature’, the Deputy Director of AAZP said.
On 11 May, the WHO classified B.1.617.2 lineage as a Variant of Concern (VOC) and said it has showed evidence of higher transmissibility and reduced neutralisation.
Two wild cats–a lioness and a lion–have died in the last two weeks at AAZP due to SARS Cov-2 infection.
The AAZP had sent samples of 11 lions housed in the park for testing for SARS Cov-2 on May 24 (four lions) and on 29 May (seven lions) to ICAR-NIHSAD, which undertakes research on exotic and emerging pathogens of animals in the country and is one of the four approved institutes for testing of captive animal samples for SARS Cov-2.
As per the NIHSAD report on June three, the samples of nine lions had tested positive for SARS Cov-2 and the animals have been under active treatment since then.
On Friday, four of these samples have revealed that there were Delta variants.