Several gorillas from Atlanta Zoo in the southern state of Georgia, USA, tested positive for covid, the zoo itself reported.
The primates were examined after their caregivers saw them coughing and noticed other symptoms, the zoo noted.
Initial tests tested positive for the virus that causes covid-19, and the zoo said Friday in a statement that it was awaiting confirmatory test results.
Gorillas at risk for complications were being treated with monoclonal antibodies, proteins produced in laboratories to fight infections. The 20 zoo gorillas were examined.
“The teams are closely monitoring the affected gorillas and we look forward to their full recovery. They are receiving the best possible care,” said Sam Rivera, director of the Atlanta Zoo.
“We are very concerned that these infections are happening, especially because our sanitary protocols applied to work with apes and other susceptible animal species during the pandemic have been extremely stringent,” he added.
The zoo believes the gorillas were infected by an asymptomatic caregiver even though he was vaccinated and wearing health protection equipment.
“Although humans can transmit the virus to animals such as gorillas, and this has happened in other zoos, there are no data to indicate that zoo animals can transmit the virus to humans,” the zoo said.
However, he added that there is no possibility of a threat of infection to humans due to the distance that separates the public from the habitat of primates.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that 13 gorillas were commissioned, including Ozzie, the oldest of the female gorillas in captivity.
The Atlanta Zoo said it allowed the animal-developed Zoetis Covid vaccine to be applied and will be inoculated into gorillas when they recover.
He has also indicated that he will have to vaccinate orangutans, Sumatran tigers, African lions and leopards.
Cats and domestic dogs have been infected with covid.