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San Diego Zoo Safari Park in California has been closed down after several gorillas tested positive for COVID-19.
In what is believed to be the first known cases among such primates in the United States and possibly the world, the park’s executive director, Lisa Peterson, told Associated Press on Monday that eight gorillas that live together at the park are believed to have the virus, adding that many of them have been coughing.
“Aside from congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well,” Peterson said.
The zoo management added thst the gorillas are all in quarantine.
The animals are believed to have contracted the disease from an asymptomatic employee.
The zoo has already been closed to visitors since December