In the United States, more than 22 million people have been infected with the coronavirus - and now at least two gorillas in a California zoo.
The US state of
California
has very high
numbers of corona infections
.
At
least
two gorillas contracted
the
coronavirus
in a
zoo in San Diego
.
The authorities assume that the animals were
infected
by a
zoo employee
.
San Diego - The
United States
is the country with the highest numbers in the
corona pandemic
in the world.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University on Tuesday morning,
204,652 new corona infections
were reported
within one day
.
In the same period,
1731 corona deaths were
recorded.
The state of
California
is particularly hard hit
.
So far, a total of 2,753,739 people have been
infected
with the
coronavirus there
- and now at least
two gorillas
.
Corona in the USA: Two gorillas infected in the San Diego Zoo
In the
San Diego Zoo
two are
gorillas
positive for the
coronavirus
been tested.
The zoo announced on Monday.
The two animals started
coughing
last week
and were then tested for the pathogen, said California Governor
Gavin Newsom
.
"Apart from a little mucus and coughing, the gorillas are fine," said zoo director
Lisa Peterson
.
The entire
group
of gorillas in the zoo would be in
quarantine
together
.
It cannot be ruled out that other animals in the group
may be infected
with the
coronavirus
.
"We hope to make a full recovery," said Peterson.
Members of our gorilla troop tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well and we are hopeful for a full recovery.
Read the full update: https://t.co/HIezWKBFxG pic.twitter.com/MAkPYPzxWP
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park (@sdzsafaripark) January 11, 2021
Two gorillas infected with corona in the USA: probably infected by zoo employees
The authorities assume that the
gorillas were
infected
by an
asymptomatic zoo employee
.
However, this has not yet been confirmed.
According to the zoo, all employees must
wear
protective masks
when they are near the gorillas.
Due to the high number of
corona infections
in
southern California
, the area of the famous
San Diego zoo
, where the gorillas live, was
closed to visitors
at the beginning of December
.
Studies have previously shown that
great
apes can also become infected
with the
coronavirus
.
Gorillas
share up to 98 percent of their genetic make-up with humans.
The two infected animals from the
San Diego Zoo
are a novelty.
These are the
first known cases
in which great apes have become naturally infected with the coronavirus.
(ph / afp / dpa)
List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / dpa / San Diego Zoo Global / AP |
Ken Bohn