Hong Kong warned people yesterday not to approach or feed wild
monkeys after Taiwan reported that some macaques have tested
positive for a virus deadly to humans.
CHV-1, also known as Monkey B virus, is harmless to monkeys, but
in humans it can cause acute encephalitis, which is often
fatal.
The virus, usually contracted by lab workers, is transmitted by
monkey bites, scratches or contact with fluids and tissue.
Health officials in Taiwan's second-biggest city, Kaohsiung,
reported that wild monkeys in the Shou Mountain area tested
positive for the virus, and warned hikers and tourists yesterday
not to feed wild monkeys.
Although Hong Kong is known for its densely populated urban
neighborhoods, the city also has large tracts of park space and
undeveloped mountainous areas, where the monkeys live.
Donald Lam, a spokesperson for Hong Kong's Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department, said officials are
monitoring the cases in Taiwan but have not begun testing monkeys
in Hong Kong.
He added that the conservation department usually tells people
to stay away from the animals even when there's no threat of
infection because feeding or having other contact with the monkeys
affects their natural behavior.
(CRI June 7, 2005)