GUWAHATI: Members of the Gorilla Troop at California's San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Monday have tested positive for COVID-19. On Wednesday, January 6, two of the gorillas began coughing and showing mild symptoms, after that their fecal samples were taken for testing through the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CA HFS), said the safari park officials.
On 8th of January, the preliminary tests identified the presence of the virus in the gorilla troop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the positive results on Monday, January 11.
According to the officials of San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the results of the fecal testing only confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in some of the gorillas, this does not definitively rule out the presence of the virus in other members of the troop.
It is presumed that the gorillas acquired the infection from an asymptomatic staff member, despite following all recommended precautions including COVID-19 safety protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and San Diego County Public Health as well as wearing PPE when near the wildlife.
"Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well and we are hopeful for a full recovery," tweeted San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Earlier, three snow leopards and a Malayan tiger had tested positive for COVID-19 in Louisville Zoo, Kentucky and at the Bronx zoo respectively.
