Story at a glance
- Five western lowland gorillas at the Dallas Zoo have tested positive for COVID-19.
- All of the infected gorillas are asymptomatic at this time.
- As great apes and larger jungle cats have been known to show an increased risk of coronavirus infection, the zoo regularly tests them.
Five gorillas at the Dallas Zoo have tested positive for COVID-19, the zoo announced Tuesday.
“The Dallas Zoo has had 5 asymptomatic western lowland gorillas test positive for COVID-19,” it wrote on Facebook. “As part of routine testing of our animals, preliminary results indicate that Shana, B’Wenzi, Marcus, Asha, and Shanta have all tested positive for the virus but are not showing any clinical signs of illness.”
As great apes and larger jungle cats have been known to show an increased risk of coronavirus infection, the zoo regularly tests them. The samples were first taken from the gorillas on Feb. 1.
None of the zoo’s other gorillas or species have tested positive at this time.
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“While we are concerned about these preliminary test results, we are encouraged by the fact that the gorillas are not showing symptoms,” the zoo said. “Our animal care staff is prepared to provide treatment if that changes.”
There have been known cases of humans transmitting the virus to animals, but none recorded of animals transmitting it to humans at this time. The Dallas Zoo has taken steps to diminish the chances of animal caretakers or zoo visitors transmitting the coronavirus to the animals.
The zoo has stated that visitors are kept at a great enough distance from the animals in their habitats that visitors “don’t pose a transmission threat,” and members of the care team are routinely tested themselves.
“Zoologists are tested weekly before entering these areas for their shifts and use extensive PPE (including fit-tested N95 masks),” the zoo said. “We will continue these protocols, along with increased testing for staff to ensure they remain protected as well.”
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