The Georgia Aquarium announced Sunday that its Asian small-claw otters have tested positive for COVID-19.
Although it was unclear how many of the animals tested positive, officials said in a news release that the otters were already showing signs of improvement and that they were expected to make a full recovery.
“Our Asian otters with small claws are very closely monitored by veterinarians and members of the animal care team,” said Dr. Tonya Clauss, vice president of animal and environmental health at Georgia Aquarium, said in a news release. “They showed only mild symptoms and we expect them all to recover completely. We provide supportive care as needed so they can eat, rest and recover.”
The otters are expected to recover completely.
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The animals have been moved from exhibition and are being cared for ‘behind the scenes’. Zoo staff decided to test the animals based on clinical signs. At present, it is “suspected that the otters contracted the infection from an asymptomatic staff member.”
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“The risk of transmission from animal to human is incredibly rare,” the news release read. “The Asian otters with small claws in the aquarium have no direct contact with guests and have always been behind acrylic barriers and separate them from guests. The otters will still be monitored and once they are no longer positive for COVID-19, it will will then be determined when they go to the exhibition again. ‘
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The news report noted that the impact of the virus on the species is currently unknown. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, “does not spread easily from humans to animals.”