Authorities in India have reiterated that there is no proof that animals can transmit coronavirus infections to humans days after eight Asiatic lions, housed in a zoo in Hyderabad, tested positive for the virus. 

Lions were tested for the coronavirus last month after a caretaker noticed some breathing problems among them. The results confirmed that they were infected with the virus however, officials claimed, “the infection wasn’t caused by any variant of concern.” 

Lions that caught the virus were given treatment. Officials claim they are now recovering well. Following the incident, the zoo had been closed for visitors, and several protective measures, for the safety of caretakers and animals, were taken. 
 
In a statement released on Tuesday, authorities asked the media to show “extreme caution” while reporting to provide “responsible” coverage. Earlier also, there were several reports of people abandoning their dogs and pets, fearing they might get infected with them. 

“Based on experience with zoo animals elsewhere in the world that have experienced SARS-COV2 positive last year, there is no factual evidence that animals can transmit the disease to humans any further,” reads the statement. 

Soon after the incident, the government had issued an advisory for zoos in consultation with scientific agencies and experts of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) Uttar Pradesh and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology – Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (CCMB-LaCONES) Hyderabad.