(Animals) Gorillas from zoo in San Diego test positive for Covid-19

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Aside from a bit of congestion and coughing, gorillas are fine and vets are hoping for a full recovery.

Staff at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in the United States, reported this Monday that several gorillas, which he keeps in his enclosure, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
In a statement they specified that on Wednesday, January 6, two of the gorillas began to cough and given the current circumstances, San Diego Zoo Global began the process of analyzing gorilla fecal samples for SARS-CoV-2 through the System. of the Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety of California (CA HFS). This is the first case of which there is news of a possible transmission of Covid-19 in this type of animals, who presented some symptoms related to the virus.
They added that on January 8, preliminary tests detected the presence of the virus in the gorilla herd, while the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the positive results on Monday. January 11

The executive director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Lisa Peterson, expressed in a press conference that "the troop remains in quarantine together and is eating and drinking. We are hopeful for a full recovery."

Gorillas are suspected of having acquired the infection from an asymptomatic staff member, despite following all recommended precautions, including Covid-19 safety protocols.

Peterson stressed that "for nearly a year, our team members have been working tirelessly, with the utmost determination to protect others and the wildlife in our care from this highly contagious virus."

Primate habitat allows great apes to be at a safe distance from all hosts and pose without risk to public health.

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