Two Gorillas In San Diego, United States Positive For COVID-19

Illustration - Gorilla Hand (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Two gorillas at the San Diego Zoo, United States, were confirmed positive for COVID-19 after showing symptoms, the governor of California said Monday, January 11.

This is believed to be the first known case of transmission of the virus to macaques.

Reported by Antara, Tuesday, January 12, Governor Gavin Newsom said the source of the infection was still being investigated, whether it was transmitted from animals or from humans, as quoted by Reuters.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park website said the gorillas were suspected of being infected from asymptomatic staff, even though they were following all the COVID-19 safety guidelines recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Zoo authorities began testing fecal samples from the gorillas after the two gorillas started coughing last Wednesday, and initial results found two days later found the presence of the virus in them.

The US Department of Agriculture's National Animal Service Laboratory confirmed positive results on Monday.

Zoo executive director Lisa Peterson said the two gorillas were doing well apart from feeling claustrophobic and coughing. They remain quarantined together and continue to eat and drink.

The coronavirus has also been found in a number of other wild animal species in captivity, including lions and tigers at the Bronx Zoo in New York and four lions at the Barcelona Zoo, Spain.

But the gorilla in San Diego is believed to be the first case of infection in a monkey. The virus has also appeared in a number of domestic dogs and cats.