Gorillas are the first non-humans to be vaccinated against COVID-19 – Maple Ridge News – Maple Ridge News

Gorillas are the first non-humans to be vaccinated against COVID-19 – Maple Ridge News – Maple Ridge News

The San Diego Zoo has vaccinated nine great apes for the coronavirus after a troop of gorillas in its Safari Park became infected.

Officials say four orangutans and five bonobos received COVID-19 injections in January and February.

Three bonobos and a gorilla also are expected to receive the vaccine, which is experimental and not built nor suitable for human use.

The vaccinations followed a January outbreak of COVID-19 at the zoo’s Safari Park. Eight western lowland gorillas got the virus, probably by exposure to a zookeeper who tested positive for COVID-19.

The gorillas had symptoms ranging from runny noses to coughing and lethargy. But they are recovering.

Great news: Our gorilla troop is eating, drinking, interacting and on their way to a full recovery after the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. Full update: https://t.co/jb9pKVirTq pic.twitter.com/TuVGmlNtjl

— San Diego Zoo Safari Park (@sdzsafaripark) January 25, 2021

Coronavirus

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Published at Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:00:00 +0000