Gorillas at Safari Park test positive for virus that causes COVID-19

ESCONDIDO (CNS) - Several gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, zoo officials announced Monday, Jan. 11. On Wednesday, two of the gorillas began coughing, and veterinarians began testing fecal samples from the gorillas for SARS-CoV-2 through the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. On Friday, the preliminary tests detected the presence of the virus. The U.S Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the results Monday. The test showed the presence of the virus in some of the gorillas and did not definitively rule out the presence of the virus in other members of the troop. ``Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well,'' said Lisa Pe