Pathogen probably in soil

Melioidosis: Death of twelve monkeys in Hong Kong zoo

The mammal section of the zoological and botanical gardens will remain closed following the incident in order to closely monitor the health of the animals living there, the authorities of the Special Administrative Region announced. In the picture: Brazzamere cats(Bild: Joachim G. Pinkawa/JoPinX, stock.adobe.com)

The death of twelve monkeys in a Hong Kong zoo caused by a disease that can also infect humans has led to calls for increased safety measures. 

According to officials, the brazzameer monkeys, squirrel monkeys, liszt monkeys and white-headed sakis have been dying in stages since October 13, when keepers first discovered eight dead animals. Further monkeys showing conspicuous behavior were then isolated. The most recent death involved an animal that had been in isolation since mid-October.

Pathogen in contaminated soil
Examinations of the dead animals revealed that they had died from the tropical infectious disease melioidosis. It is suspected that the monkeys came into contact with the pathogen through contaminated soil. The disease can affect both animals and humans. However, the health of the remaining 78 mammals in the zoo and the staff was classified as normal.

Experts called for a review of precautionary measures in response to the incident. Important lessons must be learned from this incident, which led to the death of more than a tenth of the zoo's mammals.