KUWAIT: Kuwait Zoo commented on 'inaccurate' social media reports which claimed that an infection has spread amongst animals there. Posts had recently went viral on social media claiming that several animals were diagnosed with Brucellosis infection, and urged the public to avoid going to the zoo, saying that the 'dangerous virus' can be transmitted to humans.

In the aftermath of the rumors' spread, the zoo's administration posted a clarification on their Instagram account, saying that Brucellosis (Brucella disease) is a bacterial disease, not viral, and only affects certain animals such as cows, sheep, goats, and camels.

This disease often spreads to humans via direct contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, it explained. The disease also spreads through consuming unpasteurized milk, cheese, and other dairy products.

Those conditions are not found at Kuwait Zoo, the administration explained, and reassured visitors that they had no reason to worry, especially that it took all necessary health precautions to deal with the disease in the same way as they did with any other disease that affected animals in the past.

A Kuwait Zoo employee told Kuwait Times yesterday that only three or four animals suffered from this disease, adding that the animals were already quarantined. "Our veterinary took samples from those animals which are now receiving treatment," he told Kuwait Times. "We followed the same procedures as we usually do with any other disease."

"There are about 120 employees working at the zoo including the administration, veterinary, laborers, and other staff. If there was a real danger on humans, then we would not be coming to work, and the zoo would have been shut down," the employee further said. "Simply put, there is no reason for fear."

By Nawara Fattahova