Gorillas in Atlanta Zoo Begin Coughing, Test Positive for COVID After Contact with Fully Vaccinated Keeper

The Case of the Coughing Gorillas apparently has been solved, and the culprit likely is a handler who was vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Thirteen western lowland gorillas at Zoo Atlanta have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The gorillas have been acting like humans who come down with the disease, showing symptoms of mild coughing, nasal discharge and loss of appetite, zoo officials said.

Testing was done on fecal samples and nasal and oral swabs to confirm the apes had COVID-19.

Zoo officials said in a statement that “members” of its gorilla population tested positive for COVID, but they did not specify a number.

The officials said they cannot be certain how the animals were infected, but “the Animal Care and Veterinary Teams believe the infections originated with a COVID-positive care team member. The team member is fully vaccinated, was wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and was asymptomatic on the day of reporting to work.”- READ MORE