Florida's Rhesus Macaques Threatens Visitors with Herpes-B Virus

If you're planning a trip to Florida, don't get close to the rhesus macaques in Silver Springs state park...

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From The Guardian's article, a bite/scratch or other contacts with bodily fluids from these cute critters that roam free in the Florida state park, could mean a chance of contracting the Herpes-B virus.

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.

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This "growing population" was unexpected since it was reported that back in the 1930's these monkeys were imported and apparently the original idea did not factor in this species was able to swim. The Guardian stated:

The animals’ forebears were brought to an island in the Silver river early in the 1930s as a tourist attraction due to the popularity of the Tarzan movies. But there was human error in that plan...'They didn’t know monkeys could swim,' O’Lenick said. Now there are believed to be about 175 in Silver Springs state park.

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Ian Branam, a spokesperson for the CDC was recorded stating:

Human cases of the virus have been rare, with about 50 documented worldwide, and there have been no known transmissions of it to people from wild rhesus macaques in Florida or elsewhere. However, the researchers say the issue has not been thoroughly studied...The herpes B virus has been fatal to 21 of the 50 humans known to have contracted it from macaque bites and scratches while working with the animals in laboratories, according to the CDC...Herpes B virus infection is extremely rare in people, but when it does occur, it can result in severe brain damage or death if the patient is not treated immediately.

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Human visitors and the keepers are most at risk if contact is made. There haven't been that many incidents but The Guardian stated:

While there are no official statistics on monkey attacks on humans in the park, a state-sponsored study in the 1990s found 31 monkey-human incidents, with 23 resulting in human injury between 1977 and 1984.

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As a last remark in The Guardian:

Samantha Wisely, a University of Florida disease ecologist and one of the study’s authors, said whether the monkeys pose a significant public health threat is still unknown. The paper recommends that Florida wildlife managers consider the virus in future policy decisions...'We don’t have any silver bullet; that’s the nature of science,' Wisely said.

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However, what about mosquitoes as a host carrier for this virus? It makes me wonder...This may turn into an epidemic if not properly treated or maintained. A lot of my friends go to Florida on holiday, as do many people. So, if you're going to that part of Florida, know your surroundings and be aware of the potential hazards.

Be well!

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