In Singapore, 10 captive lions tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time PCR. Genomic analyses of nanopore sequencing confirmed human-to-animal transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. Viral genomes from the lions and zookeeper shared a unique spike protein substitution, S:A1016V. Widespread SARS-CoV-2 transmission among humans can increase the likelihood of anthroponosis.
Keywords: COVID-19; Delta variant; Panthera; SARS-CoV-2; Singapore; coronavirus; endangered species; human-to-animal transmission; lion; nanopore sequencing; respiratory infections; reverse zoonosis; viral genome; viruses; zoo; zoonoses.