The death of 12 monkeys at a Hong Kong zoo, caused by a disease that can also infect humans, has led to calls for increased safety measures.
According to officials, Brazza’s monkeys, squirrel monkeys, taftas and white-faced sakis have been gradually dying since October 13, when keepers initially discovered eight dead animals. Additional monkeys that showed unusual behavior were then isolated. The most recent death involved an animal that had been living in isolation since mid-October.
Pathogens in contaminated soil
Examination of the dead animals showed that they had died of the tropical infectious disease melioidosis. It is believed that the monkeys came into contact with the pathogen through contaminated soil. The disease can affect both animals and humans. However, the health status of the zoo’s remaining 78 mammals, as well as its staff, was classified as normal.
In response to the incident, experts called for a review of precautionary measures. Important lessons need to be learned from this incident, which resulted in the death of more than a tenth of the zoo’s mammals.
Source: Krone
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