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