Distamhut DKI: COVID-19 Virus From Sumatran Tigers Is Not Infecting Humans

The Sumatran Tiger Positive for COVID-19 in Ragunan/Anies Baswedan's Instagram Photo

JAKARTA - Head of the Jakarta City Parks and Forest Service (Distamhut) Suzi Marsitawati emphasized that the COVID-19 virus that had attacked two Sumatran tigers at the Ragunan Wildlife Park (TMR) would not be transmitted to humans. Because, there are no studies that say it can happen.

"The two animals do not transmit the virus to humans. Because there are no studies showing exudates of animals infected with COVID-19 contain an active virus," said Suzi in her statement, Sunday, August 1.

In addition, the public was asked not to worry. Because, when the two Sumatran tigers showed symptoms and finally tested positive for COVID-19, TMR was not operating.

"This is because when the animals started to develop symptoms, the Ragunan Wildlife Park was closed, because it was an Emergency PPKM," said Suzi.

On the other hand, the cause of the exposure of the two tigers is not yet known. Suzi said that his party was also still tracing.

"We have also carried out tracing to nurses and officers when animals are sick, no one has been exposed to COVID-19. So, we are still investigating the cause," said Suzi.

Previously, it was reported that DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Rasyid Baswedan visited two Jakarta residents who were exposed to COVID-19. However, the two of them are not humans, but Sumatran tigers.

The news that the two Sumatran tigers were exposed to COVID-19 was uploaded by Anies to the Instagram account @aniesbaswedan. The two tigers have tested positive for COVID-19 since July 15.

"Yes, Hari and Tino are Sumatran tigers. They were diagnosed positive for COVID-19 last July 15," said Anies.

Currently, the two Sumatran tigers are undergoing isolation at the Ragunan Wildlife Park (TMR).

Their condition was known to be exposed to COVID-19 based on the results of a sample examination conducted by the Center for the Study of Primate Animals, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB).