Hong Kong records 11th monkey death at zoo amid melioidosis outbreak
Common squirrel monkey was one of two that was put under isolated surveillance last week after showing signs of illness
One more monkey died at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens on Sunday, taking the total to 11 since the outbreak of an infectious disease at the park last week.
Authorities said a necropsy would be performed on the common squirrel monkey to ascertain if the cause of death matched the melioidosis diagnosis in earlier cases.
The latest monkey was one of two that had been put under isolated surveillance since last Wednesday after showing signs of illness. The other died on Saturday.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which manages the park, said a De Brazza’s monkey was still being quarantined.
“At present, one De Brazza’s monkey that has been isolated since October 13 is still under isolated surveillance and given medication,” the department said.
The news of the death broke hours after a senior official denied accusations the government had not been not forthcoming with information about the number of monkeys being quarantined.
