Atlanta (US), Finally coronavirus has made it’s entry in wild population also as several members of a troop of western lowland gorillas at Zoo Atlanta have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The handlers of this troop noticed many of the great apes were showing signs of mild coughing, runny noses and a small loss of appetite.
It is likely that the virus made its way into the gorilla population from an animal care staffer who was asymptomatic upon coming to work, but who later tested positive for the virus.
The fecal samples, nasal and oral swabs from the gorillas were collected and sent the samples to a diagnostic lab at the University of Georgia. The lab returned presumptive positive results for the virus that causes COVID-19.
The zoo administration was awaiting confirmation of the test results from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, which also received samples.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported 13 gorillas had tested positive for the virus.