India, Jan. 12 -- They are the first known cases of great apes to be infected by the virus

Eight western lowland gorillas has been infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the first known cases among great apes in the world, news agency Associated Press reported January 12, 2021.

Two of the gorillas began coughing January 6, 2021. Faecal samples taken from them confirmed they were suffering from COVID-19.

For the moment, the gorillas have only shown signs of coughing and congestion. They have been given vitamins, fluid and food and are being monitored constantly, the AP report said.

The virus could have been passed on to the gorillas by a member of the park's wildlife care team who had a...