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Confirmation of COVID-19 in a Coatimundi at an Illinois Zoo

On October 14, 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) announced confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in a coatimundi at a zoo in Illinois.  This is the first coatimundi confirmed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the United States.

Samples from a variety of species at the zoo, including the coatimundi, were collected and tested after a tiger at the facility showed signs of the virus.

USDA will announce cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in animals each time the virus is found in a new species. Confirmed cases in animals are posted at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa_one_health/sars-cov-2-animals-us.

You can read the entire news release from USDA and learn more about this confirmed case here.