Florida monkeys excreting rare disease that can kill humans, scientists warn

Wildlife agency says free-roaming monkeys at state park are a public health concern, as 30% may have Herpes B that can spread to visitors via bodily fluids

Wildlife managers in Florida say they want to remove roaming monkeys from the state in light of a new study published Wednesday, which finds some of the animals are excreting a virus that can be dangerous to humans.

Scientists studying a growing population of rhesus macaques in Silver Springs State Park say that rather than just carrying herpes B, which is common in the species, some of the monkeys have the virus in their saliva and other bodily fluids, posing a potential risk of spreading the disease.

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Continue reading... January 10, 2018 at 11:17PM