The Georgia Aquarium announced on April 18th 2021 that several of its Asian small-clawed otters had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
The animals’ caretakers were tipped off when the otters showed symptoms like sneezing, lethargy and coughing. The aquarium is not certain as to how the otters caught the virus, but the statement suggests that a staff member with an asymptomatic infection transmitted it to the otters.
“Our Asian small-clawed otters are under very close monitoring by veterinarians and animal care team members. They have displayed only mild symptoms and we expect them all to make a full recovery,” says Tonya Clauss, the aquarium’s vice president of animal and environmental health, in the statement. “We are providing supportive care as needed so they can eat, rest and recover.”
