By Dinitha RathnayakeThe condition of the 14-year-old lion named Thor, who was infected with Covid-19 at the Dehiwala Zoological Garden, is clinically normal albeit medically unhealthy, and out of the danger zone, according to the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA). According to SLVA Secretary Dr. G. Sugath Pemachandra, the lion’s white blood cell count is currently increasing while the platelet count keeps decreasing. “The condition is not critical, but this is a post-Covid-19 condition. Thor’s rectal tests revealed that the lion was infected with the B.1.1.7 Alpha variant of Covid-19, a few weeks back. However, as explained by Dr. Pemachandra, while humans can spread the virus to animals in certain situations, the reverse cannot take place.

Source: The Nation July 07, 2021 18:11 UTC