Nine monkeys that died the oldest at a Hong Kong zoo in two days were infected with melioidosis, officials said. The Associated Press reports this.
Eight monkeys were found dead on Sunday 13th October, and another on Monday. These included Brazza's monkeys, common squirrel monkeys, pallid sakis and Oedipus tamarins. One of Brazza's monkeys exhibited unusual behavior that could indicate illness, but later recovered.
Melioidosis is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is widespread in soil and dirty water. The animals developed sepsis due to the infection. Contact with infected animals is not dangerous for people.
Zoo officials believe the contamination was linked to repairs to irrigation pipes near the monkey cages in early October.
“The incubation period for melioidosis in primates is about a week, and this coincided with the period following soil digging,” the statement noted.
