COVID-19 Diagnosed for the First Time in Hippopotamuses

COVID-19 seems to spare no one—and no species. For the first time ever, hippopatumses were diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Antwerp Zoo in Belgium. The poor hippos, Imani and Hermien, exhibited runny noses and were given COVID-19 tests, which came back positive on December 3. While the novel coronavirus has been found in other animals, such as apes, cats, and dogs, this seems to be the first diagnosis among hippos. Imani and Hermien’s exhibit has been closed to zoo visitors. Their handlers don personal protective equipment when in proximity to the animals and, thus far, none has tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read more.