Otters at Georgia Aquarium
Test Positive for COVID-19.
On Sunday, the Georgia Aquarium announced that their
Asian small-clawed otters had tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a news release, the otters
began exhibiting mild symptoms such as sneezing,
runny noses, coughing and slight lethargy.
It is unclear how many of the otters tested
positive, but they were all moved off exhibit. .
Dr. Tonya Clauss, vice president of animal and
environmental health at Georgia Aquarium, confirmed that
the otters were being cared for “behind-the-scenes.”.
Our Asian small-clawed otters are under
very close monitoring by veterinarians
and animal care team members … We
are providing supportive care as needed
so they can eat, rest and recover, Dr. Tonya Clauss, via news release.
The otters are “already improving” and
are expected to make a “full recovery.”.
The aquarium believes that the otters likely contracted
COVID-19 from an asymptomatic staff member.
They went on to assure that although
animal-to-human transmission is “incredibly rare,”
proper safety precautions have been taken.