Massive COVID Outbreak In Atlanta Includes Someone You Might Know

A number of gorillas at a Georgia zoo have contracted COVID-19, and it appears that a human staff member may have infected them…

As of today, Zoo Atlanta announces that at least 13 of their total 20 gorillas are presumptively positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus — this comes after some of them began showing symptoms in recent days and were tested by a local lab — with additional results expected in the coming days.

Update on our gorilla population: Zoo Atlanta has received presumptive positive test results indicating that members of its western lowland gorilla troops are positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. https://t.co/TugKKupxnV pic.twitter.com/ba5fpZ6MdC

— ZooATL (@ZooATL) September 10, 2021

Runny noses, coughing, and changes in appetite were among the symptoms observed, and samples were collected by the use of nasal swabs, oral swabs, and fecal material.

Ozzie, the eldest of their gorillas, is 60 years old and has also tested positive for the virus. They are being treated with monoclonal antibodies and will soon be given the Zoetis vaccine, which is a jab made specifically for animals and which numerous zoos have already administered to their animals.

Zoo Atlanta says at least 13 western lowland gorillas have tested positive for COVID-19, including 60-year-old Ozzie, the oldest male gorilla in captivity.https://t.co/Qs7d0i9MIL

— WABE News (@wabenews) September 11, 2021

As for how they became infected, ZA believes that a member of the care team who works there — who later tested positive — may have been responsible for passing the virus… accidentally and not on purpose, according to the organization. They claim that this employee was completely vaccinated and wearing a slew of protective gear when they reported working on the day that the virus apparently spread.

At this time, it does not appear like any of the gorillas are in danger of dying, but the Zoo is keeping an eye on their health. They’re also allowing visitors to continue to watch them because, according to them, it’s not possible for animals to transmit COVID to people and the built-in viewing distance is sufficiently safe.