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Tengrinews.kz – Monkeys infected with hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID-19 escaped from a truck that crashed in the United States, according to Mississippi police, citing The Independent.
The truck, which was transporting rhesus macaques from Tulane University in New Orleans, crashed on Interstate 59. The animals were being taken from the National Primate Research Center to a testing facility in Florida.
Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson told local TV station WAPT that the truck was carrying 21 monkeys, six of which escaped.
“The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans. We took the appropriate actions after being given that information. He also stated that you had to wear PPE to handle the monkeys,” the department said.
However, Tulane University stated that the monkeys were not infectious.
“The primates in question belong to another entity. The primates… aren’t infectious. We are actively collaborating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed,” the university said in a statement.
As of Tuesday noon, officials reported that all escaped monkeys except one had been euthanized. One monkey remains at large.
