Several gorillas at Zoo Atlanta within the southern US state of Georgia have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, the zoo said.
The western lowland gorillas were tested after keepers saw them coughing and other symptoms, it said.
Initial tests indicated they were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 and therefore the zoo said in an exceedingly statement Friday it absolutely was awaiting the results of confirmatory tests from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.
Gorillas in danger of developing complications were being treated with monoclonal antibodies and also the zoo’s whole population of 20 gorillas was being tested.
“The teams are very closely monitoring the affected gorillas and are hopeful they’re going to make a whole recovery. they’re receiving the most effective possible care,” said Sam Rivera, senior director of animal health at Zoo Atlanta.
“We are very concerned that these infections occurred, especially as long as our safety protocols when working with great apes and other susceptible animal species are, and throughout the pandemic are, extremely rigorous.”
The zoo said it believed the gorillas were infected by an asymptomatic keeper, despite the worker being fully vaccinated and wearing personal protective equipment.
“While humans are known to be able to transmit the virus to animals like gorillas, and these cases have occurred at other zoos, there’s currently no data to suggest that zoo animals can transmit the virus to humans,” the zoo said.
In any case, it said visitors failed to pose a threat thanks to the gap between them and also the primates’ habitat.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that 13 of the zoo’s gorillas were infected, including 60-year-old Ozzie, the oldest male gorilla in captivity.
Rivera told the paper Ozzie was showing mild symptoms.
“We do not feel that we’re out of the woods,” he added. “We’re taking it on daily by day basis.”
Zoo Atlanta said it’s been authorized to use the Zoetis Covid vaccine, developed for animals, and would inoculate the gorillas after they recover.
The zoo said it might also vaccinate its orangutans, Sumatran tigers, African lions and clouded leopard.
Covid-19 has also been known to infect domestic cats and dogs.
