Guest guest Posted July 2, 2005 Report Share Posted July 2, 2005 Published on TaipeiTimes <http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/06/07/2003258281>http://ww\ w.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/06/07/2003258281 Officials warn on monkeys AP , TAIPEI AND HONG KONG Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005,Page 2 Health officials yesterday warned hikers and tourists not to feed wild monkeys, saying that a potentially deadly virus had been discovered among some 30 Taiwanese macaques. The animals, on Takao Hill (or Tsaishan) near Kaohsiung, were put in quarantine after they were found to be carrying the CHV-1 virus. The strain -- CHV-1, also known as Monkey B virus -- is common and harmless to monkeys, but with humans it can cause acute encephalitis, which is often fatal. The virus -- usually contracted by lab workers -- is transmitted by monkey bites, scratches or contact with fluids and tissue. No human cases were found, the health officials said. Infected monkeys develop blisters or ulcers on their tongues, lips or mouths, the Center for Disease Control said. The monkeys, numbering about 800, are a tourist attraction in the Takao Hill area, and visitors have ignored repeated warnings from officials not to feed them, Kaohsiung municipal official Lee Yeh-tien said. Authorities have considered relocating the monkeys to more isolated spots, but have faced opposition from local residents fearing attacks from the animals, he said. Hong Kong officials yesterday also warned people not to approach or feed wild monkeys there. Although Hong Kong is known for its densely populated urban neighborhoods, the city also has large tracts of park space and undeveloped mountainous areas where the monkeys live. Donald Lam, a spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, said officials were monitoring the cases in Taiwan but have not begun testing monkeys in Hong Kong. " We urge the public not to feed monkeys or go near them, " Lam said. Dr. Shirley McGreal, Chairwoman International Primate Protection League PO Box 766 Summerville, SC 29484, USA Phone - 843-871-2280, Fax- 843-871-7988 E-mail - smcgreal, Web: www.ippl.org One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. ~ AA Milne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.