- Over a dozen
gorillas at anAtlanta zoo tested positive for COVID-19. - The gorillas were tested after showing symptoms, including coughing, nasal discharge, and changes in appetite.
- Some are being treated with monoclonal antibodies and officials are "hopeful they will make a complete recovery."
More than a dozen western lowland gorillas at a zoo in Atlanta have tested positive for COVID-19, officials at the facility said.
In total, at least 13 gorillas at Atlanta Zoo tested positive were diagnosed after exhibiting symptoms of the disease, including coughing, nasal discharge, and changes to their appetite, zoo officials said in a statement. Officials at the zoo took fecal and nasal samples, which were tested at the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, zoo officials added.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported the
"The teams are collecting samples for testing for the Zoo's entire gorilla population, which includes 20 members living in four troops, and will regularly test the gorillas regardless of the presence of symptoms," the zoo said in a statement.
Zoo Atlanta did not immediately return Insider's request for comment Sunday.
Dr. Sam Rivera, the senior director of animal
Zoo employees are not required to get the
Zoo Atlanta said the infections occurred in an area of the facility with stringent COVID-19 safety precautions, but said it had instituted additional preventive measures, including such as N95 masks, Tyvek suits, modified cleaning protocols, and increased ventilation in the gorilla building.
After the gorillas recover from the disease, the zoo will vaccinate them using the Zoetis vaccine, a COVID-19 vaccine developed for use in
The gorillas at highest risk of serious complications are being treated with monoclonal antibodies, including 60-year-old Ozzie, who is showing mild symptoms of the disease, the Atlanta zoo told the AJC.
"The teams are very closely monitoring the affected gorillas and are hopeful they will make a complete recovery. They are receiving the best possible care, and we are prepared to provide additional supportive care should it become necessary," Rivera said.