*Authorities are investigating the source of the infection while emphasizing that the risk to humans remains low.*
**Outbreak Strikes Hong Kong Zoo: Twelfth Monkey Fatality Reported**
**Outbreak Strikes Hong Kong Zoo: Twelfth Monkey Fatality Reported**
*A concerning bacterial outbreak leads to the deaths of twelve monkeys at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.*
A twelfth monkey has succumbed to a bacterial infection at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, raising alarm as investigations into the outbreak continue. This De Brazza's monkey had been under isolation since October 13, when initial reports surfaced about the deaths of eight monkeys within a span of days.
Autopsy results revealed that the deceased monkeys harbored significant levels of sepsis-causing bacteria, likely introduced via contaminated soil near their enclosures, according to Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Secretary. The official noted that workers may have inadvertently transported this soil through their footwear while conducting maintenance near the primate habitats.
Veterinary epidemiologist Dirk Pfeiffer from City University of Hong Kong reassured the public that the likelihood of the infection transmitting to humans is considered “fairly low.” He cautioned, however, that cases of soil contamination are often not adequately reported in Asia, which raises concerns regarding sudden spikes in mortality among captive animal populations.
The previous eleven fatalities included various monkey species, such as the critically endangered cotton-top tamarins and common squirrel monkeys. Authorities confirmed that these animals died from melioidosis, a serious infectious disease that can spread through contaminated soil, air, or water. This disease is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a bacterium typically found in tropical and subtropical regions.
The most recent monkey death occurred on Tuesday, with preliminary examinations indicating it also exhibited similar tissue lesions as those seen in the earlier victims. Although the remaining 78 mammals at the zoo are reported to be in stable condition, the mammals' section has been closed to facilitate disinfection protocols since October 14.
As the city’s oldest zoological park, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens spans 14 acres. Amid these events, animal rights organization PETA has voiced concerns about the potential spread of zoonotic diseases, advocating for the protection of animals' natural habitats rather than their confinement for entertainment.
Historically, melioidosis has been documented in Hong Kong, with a notable event in the mid-1970s when 24 dolphins died from the disease at Ocean Park.
