The Hong Kong Zoo reported the death of a 12th monkey on Thursday (Oct 24) amid a bacterial outbreak probably caused by infected soil that has already killed 11 other primates including some critically endangered species.
The melioidosis infection deaths happened within a short span of 10 days at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the city’s oldest park sprawled over 14 acres.
Watch: Bacterial infection causing sudden deaths: Here’s what you should know | Gravitas
The latest casualty was a De Brazza’s monkey that had been in quarantine since October 13 when the first deaths were reported. It had signs of sepsis and lesions similar to the others that died.
The autopsies of the other monkeys had revealed the bacteria’s presence. Some of the dead included critically endangered species such as cotton-top tamarins and white-faced sakis.
Zoo workers may have carried the bacteria in their shoes and accidentally contaminated the soil near the enclosures, according to the Hong Kong tourism secretary who spoke with the RTHK channel.
The sudden spike in monkey deaths is concerning, veterinary epidemiologist Dirk Pfeiffer was quoted by BBC as saying.
The zoo has closed its mammals section since October 14 and started cleaning and disinfection.
The other 78 animals in the section are reported to be healthy.
The melioidosis outbreak in Hong Kong was first reported in the 1970s, leading to the deaths of 24 dolphins at Ocean Park.
What is Melioidosis?
Melioidosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei or B pseudomallei.
It mostly affects animals and in rare cases, humans could be affected too. Human-to-human infection is also low.
The infection usually spreads via soil, air or water through inhalation, or physical contact through cuts in skin.
Infections usually spike in areas hit by weather events like hurricanes and heavy rains when the bacteria rise to the soil surface, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDS.
The infection mainly affects animals like sheep, pigs, horses, cats, dogs and cows
The bacteria usually live in tropical climates in Southeast Asia and North Australia
Symptoms and treatment of Melioidosis
Symptoms appear between one to four weeks of exposure or could take months or years.
Melioidosis could affect the entire body or parts of it, like the liver, spleen, prostate, joints, bones, lymph nodes, skin, or brain.
These factors make diagnosis very difficult, often leading to misdiagnosis.
The most common symptom is lung infection, apart from ulcers, skin sores, fever, swelling and muscle aches.
Patients may also show up with a cough, chest pain, high fever, headache and lack of appetite.
Melioidosis can lead to a dangerous bloodstream infection or sepsis.
It is treated with antibiotics pills or injections.
(With inputs from agencies)