Nine monkeys at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, including a squirrel monkey, died within two days. - Photo illustration: Pixabay
HONG KONG: An investigation into the sudden deaths of nine monkeys at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens has uncovered that they succumbed to a bacterial infection, according to an autopsy report, Sky News reported on Oct 19 (Saturday).
The incident began on Oct 13 when eight monkeys, including a De Brazza’s monkey, a common squirrel monkey, three white-faced sakis and three critically endangered cotton-top tamarins, were found dead.
Another monkey died the following day.
After detecting unusual behaviour and loss of appetite in the animals, officials sealed off the mammal section of the zoo, which is Hong Kong’s oldest park, for disinfection and testing, sparking fears of a zoonotic outbreak.
Kevin Yeung, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, confirmed that the deaths were due to melioidosis, a disease spread through contact with contaminated soil or water, Sky News reported.
“The disease is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei (a type of soil-dwelling bacteria) but it generally doesn’t transmit from animal to human or person to person,” he noted.
The park’s renovation work earlier in the month, which involved digging near the monkey enclosure, likely disturbed contaminated soil, potentially spreading the bacteria through workers’ shoes.
The Centre for Health Protection conducted tests on 17 samples from the monkeys, all of which tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei.
While tests on food, water and soil samples initially came back negative, further bacterial culture tests are planned to investigate the outbreak thoroughly.
Measures are being taken to separate the remaining monkeys, clean contaminated areas and prevent future incidents.
Yeung said the incubation period for melioidosis in primates is about one week, which aligns with the timing of the deaths following the soil disturbance.
He assured the public that the bacterial infection poses no immediate threat to human health, NBC news reported on Oct 19.
However, authorities are urging the public to take precautions, such as wearing protective clothing when in contact with soil or muddy water, particularly after storms, which can spread melioidosis bacteria.
The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, which opened in 1871 and houses more than 250 animals, remains under scrutiny as officials continue to monitor the situation. - The Straits Times/ANN
