Truck Hauling COVID, Herpes-Infected Monkeys Overturns

A semi-truck carrying 21 infected rhesus monkeys overturned in Jasper County, Mississippi, leading to an immediate search for one missing monkey. Twenty other monkeys aboard the truck were euthanized after the accident. The monkeys were en route from Tulane University to a testing facility in Florida when the incident occurred. Authorities warned residents to avoid the animals, as they were aggressive and carried diseases like hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID-19. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks assisted local law enforcement at the scene. Tulane University stated the monkeys were not infectious, despite being a health risk due to their behavior. The truck driver reported that handling the monkeys necessitated personal protective equipment. This incident is reminiscent of a similar event in South Carolina, where 43 escaped monkeys were recaptured after several weeks. The South Carolina monkeys escaped from a research facility that breeds animals for medical research. Tulane University was previously awarded an anonymous $1 million grant to help with research on infectious diseases, including COVID. Similar events are causing concern due to the risk to humans.