A twelfth monkey has died at a zoo in Hong Kong, prompting investigations to ascertain whether it fell victim to the same bacterial infection that claimed the lives of 11 other monkeys over the past ten days. The De Brazza’s monkey had been kept in isolation since October 13, following the initial reports of eight fatalities. Autopsies revealed a significant presence of sepsis-inducing bacteria, which is believed to have originated from contaminated soil in proximity to the primates’ enclosures, according to officials. It is suspected that workers excavating soil near the cages may have inadvertently introduced the contaminated material via their footwear. Dirk Pfeiffer, a veterinary epidemiologist at the City University of Hong Kong, indicated that the likelihood of the infection transmitting to humans is “fairly low.” He also noted that soil contamination is frequently underreported in Asia, expressing concern over the sudden occurrence of multiple deaths in captive animal populations where such events are unprecedented. Among the 11 deceased monkeys were critically endangered cotton-top tamarins, white-faced sakis, common squirrel monkeys, and another De Brazza’s monkey. Authorities have attributed these deaths to melioidosis, an infectious disease capable of spreading through contact with contaminated soil, air, or water.
Melioidosis is attributed to Burkholderia pseudomallei, a bacterium that resides in soil and is prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas. The twelfth monkey succumbed on Tuesday, and preliminary findings suggested that it exhibited “similar lesions… in the tissues of its organs,” according to officials. Although authorities reported that the health status of the remaining 78 mammals at the zoo was “normal,” the section housing these animals has been closed since October 14 for thorough disinfection and cleaning. The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the oldest park in the city, occupies a central location and spans 14 acres. Peta, an animal rights organization, has expressed concern regarding the potential for zoonotic diseases such as monkeypox, which can be transmitted from animals to humans. Abigail Forsyth, Peta’s campaign manager, stated to the BBC that the only effective means to safeguard the emotional and physical well-being of animals, while preventing further fatalities and the transmission of zoonotic diseases, is to cease their confinement for “entertainment” purposes and instead prioritize the protection of their natural habitats. The earliest documented case of melioidosis in Hong Kong dates back to the mid-1970s, when 24 dolphins unexpectedly perished from the disease at Ocean Park, a local theme park.
