Animals (Jan 2023)
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Captive Hippos (<i>Hippopotamus amphibius</i>), Belgium
- Francis Vercammen,
- Brigitte Cay,
- Sophie Gryseels,
- Nadège Balmelle,
- Léa Joffrin,
- Koenraad Van Hoorde,
- Bavo Verhaegen,
- Elisabeth Mathijs,
- Rianne Van Vredendaal,
- Tanmay Dharmadhikari,
- Koen Chiers,
- Tim J. S. Van Olmen,
- Gianfilippo Agliani,
- Judith M. A. Van den Brand,
- Herwig Leirs
Affiliations
- Francis Vercammen
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Antwerp Zoo Society, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium
- Brigitte Cay
- Unit Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium
- Sophie Gryseels
- Department of Biology, Antwerp University, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Nadège Balmelle
- Unit Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium
- Léa Joffrin
- Department of Biology, Antwerp University, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Koenraad Van Hoorde
- Unit Foodborne Pathogens, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Bavo Verhaegen
- Unit Foodborne Pathogens, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Elisabeth Mathijs
- Unit Enzootic, Vector-Borne and Bee Diseases, Sciensano, 1180 Brussels, Belgium
- Rianne Van Vredendaal
- Department of Biology, Antwerp University, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Tanmay Dharmadhikari
- Department of Biology, Antwerp University, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Koen Chiers
- Veterinary Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
- Tim J. S. Van Olmen
- Division of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Gianfilippo Agliani
- Division of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Judith M. A. Van den Brand
- Division of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Herwig Leirs
- Department of Biology, Antwerp University, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020316
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 13,
no. 2
p. 316
Abstract
Two adult female hippos in Zoo Antwerp who were naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed nasal discharge for a few days. Virus was detected by immunocytochemistry and PCR in nasal swab samples and by PCR in faeces and pool water. Serology was also positive. No treatment was necessary.
Keywords
