Georgia aquarium otters are positive for coronavirus

by

The aquarium said on Sunday that it had tested the otters after showing “mild respiratory symptoms, including sneezing, a crooked nose, mild lethargy and coughing”.

The seven creatures are cared for outside the exhibition. Despite being geriatric, they are improving and expecting to fully recover, the aquarium said.

“Our small-clawed Asian otters are closely monitored by veterinarians and members of the animal care team,” said Dr. Tonya Clauss, vice president of animal health and the environment at Georgia Aquarium. “We provide supportive care, as needed, so that they can eat, rest and recover.”
Animals are unlikely to spread Covid-19 to humans, but precautions can help keep people and their pets safe, says CDC

The aquarium suspects that the otters received the infection from an asymptomatic staff member and tested all staff who were in contact with them. These animals have no direct contact with guests and have always been separated from them by acrylic barriers, the aquarium said.

“The otters will continue to be monitored and once they are no longer positive for COVID-19, it will be determined when they return to the exhibition,” he added in a statement.

This is the first time the Georgia Aquarium has tested one of its animals for Covid-19, but it is not the first time an animal has tested positive.

In December, three snow leopards tested positive for coronavirus at the Louisville Zoo. Thousands of minks have died on fur farms in Utah and Wisconsin after a series of coronavirus outbreaks. A small number of dogs and cats have been positive throughout the pandemic.

.Source