World’s oldest living male gorilla tested positive for COVID-19 virus

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Atlanta Zoo gorilla positive for SARS-COV-19

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Members of the Atlanta Zoo’s gorilla care team have received presumptive positive test results indicating members of its western lowland gorilla troops are positive for the virus SARS-CoV-2. that causes COVID-19. (Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Zoo) (FOX 5 Atlanta)

ATLANTA – Several gorillas at the Atlanta Zoo, including the world’s oldest living male gorilla, have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

Zoo officials say the zoo has received presumably positive test results showing Ozzie and other members of its western lowland gorilla population test positive for SARS-CoV-2.

The tests took place after members of the zoo’s gorilla care team noticed that several gorillas were coughing, had a runny nose and changes in their appetite.

After seeing the signs, the zoo sent samples to the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Georgia, where they tested positive. The zoo is now awaiting confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

The team is now treating gorillas at risk of developing complications with antibodies and testing the entire gorilla population at the zoo, regardless of their symptoms.

FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE IN GEORGIA

While officials don’t know how the gorillas got infected, they believe it was caused by a member of the healthcare team who, although fully vaccinated, tested positive for COVID-19. Officials said the team member was wearing PPE and was asymptomatic when he came to work.

Although there have been cases of humans transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to animals in other zoos, officials say there is no data indicating that zoo animals can transmit the disease. viruses to humans and gorillas do not pose a risk of transmission to guests.

“The teams are monitoring the affected gorillas very closely and hope that they will make a full recovery. They are receiving the best possible care and we are ready to provide additional supportive care if necessary, ”said Sam Rivera, DVM, Senior Director of Animal Health. “We are very concerned that these infections have occurred, especially since our safety protocols when working with great apes and other susceptible animal species are, and throughout the pandemic, have been extremely rigorous. “

The Atlanta Zoo was cleared and was waiting to receive the Zoetis vaccine, a COVID-19 vaccine specifically designed for animals. The vaccine arrived recently and officials say gorillas will receive the vaccine as they recover.

Ozzie, who is around 60, is a 350-pound silverback who sired two gorillas at the Atlanta Zoo.