Orangutans in M’sia Get COVID-19 Swabs After Staff in the Wildlife Park Got Infected

It seems that we now live in a world where nose jabs aren’t just common…

But are pretty much part of everyday life at this point.

Just look around you. That hospital to the South? Nose jab. 

That school in the West? Nose jab.

And last but certainly not least, see that wildlife park over in Malaysia?

Nose jab. And we’re not even talking about humans here.

Orangutans in M’sia Get COVID-19 Swabs After Staff in the Wildlife Park Got Infected

Yes, folks, 30 orangutans in Malaysia just got served some cold ass nose jabs.

Apparently, the antigen tests were conducted on 7 September 2021, following the infection of staff at a rehabilitation centre and wildlife park.

Thankfully, the tests came back negative.

And lest you’re wondering, these 30 were the first batch to get jabbed in their nasal parts.

“Testing for COVID-19 has been a vital tool in helping us get through this pandemic, and it is similarly important for this orangutan population,” said Sen Nathan, assistant director of the Sabah Wildlife Department.

“The disease could prove vastly detrimental to their health and set back their rehabilitation.”

Despite the positive revelation, however, the apes aren’t entirely out of danger yet.

They will continue to be monitored on a regular basis, and will continue to get tested consistently.

So what that means is plenty more nose jabs for these critters, it would, at least, ensure their safety in the short run.

But Is It Entirely Necessary Though?

In the first place; can animals even be infected with COVID-19?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

In fact, just recently, a zoo over in Atlanta had seen several infected animals. Apart from gorillas, domestic cats, dogs and at least one ferret have also tested positive for COVID-19.

And that begets the question; should we fear infected animals?

To answer that question, we will need to travel back in time to March 2020.

During that time frame, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had conceded that there is a “theoretical possibility” that the COVID-19 virus could spread from animals to humans.

However, they added that “pets are not a “serious vector” of transmission.”

Fast forward a year and a couple of months later, and the consensus still remains as such.

In a report, it was revealed that the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to humans is perceivably low.

Yet nevertheless, the risk is still there.

As such, it is necessary to test animals, though instead of a mandatory measure, it acts more as a safety measure.

Better safe than sorry, you know.

It should be noted, however, that instances of humans passing COVID-19 to animals have been widely documented around the world.

Understand the importance of these tests here:

Read Also:

• Man Fined $2.8K for Fishing & Littering at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Sexual Offenders will Face Tougher Punishments for Sex Crimes

Featured Image: Facebook (Wildlife Rescue Unit)