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Ng Kang-chung

Nine monkeys that died at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens succumbed to an infectious disease that can affect both animals and people.
Confirming an earlier Post report, officials said on Friday that necropsies and laboratory tests had revealed the animals had melioidosis. The cause of death was melioidosis-induced sepsis.
“Melioidosis is transmitted through contact with contaminated soil and sewage not human-to-human or animals-to-humans … which may be related to soil dug up from construction work nearby,” Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said.
He said digging during pipe-repair work in early October in a nearby flower bed area might have caused contaminated soil to be exposed to the environment.
“The contaminated soil might have been brought into the cages by staff wearing shoes with the soil,” Yeung said.
“It could also be related to an infected monkey passing on the disease after intimate behaviour with another.”
He added that the incubation period of melioidosis in primates was about a week, which appeared to fit the timing of the sudden death of the animals.
Yeung said he believed it was an isolated incident and that he was satisfied the risk to public health was minimal, stressing that the cages had been disinfected.
“Staff [in the zoo] were also tested and their health remains good,” Yeung said.

Centre for Health Protection (CHP) controller Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin said the public did not need to worry about getting infected through animals, but people should wear waterproof gloves and rain boots if they were handling soil or sewage.
He said animal-to-human or human-to-human transmission were rare.
“[Melioidosis] is endemic in Hong Kong. So far this year, there were 19 confirmed cases, none were related to zoo visits. Last year, there were 17 cases. We do not see an unusual increase,” Tsui said.
“It is an isolated incident in a zoo and there is no public health risk. The public do not need to be overly worried.”
The latest confirmed melioidosis human infection case, recorded during the past week, involved a 59-year-old woman with underlying illness.
She lives in Sham Shui Po and developed a fever and abdominal pain on October 5 and was admitted to hospital two days later. She is in a stable condition. The CHP is investigating the case.
Dr Thomas Sit Hon-chung, assistant director of agriculture, fisheries and conservation, said his staff had also conducted other tests, including for Covid-19 and Mpox, and all results were negative.
“Basically, we can confirm it is sepsis caused by a melioidosis infection,” he said.
He noted that the species of monkeys that succumbed were vulnerable to melioidosis as evident in other zoos overseas.
Part of the zoo in Central has been partially closed since earlier this week, following the unexplained deaths of the nine monkeys.
The mammals section shut on Monday morning after three cotton-top tamarins, three white-faced saki monkeys, a De Brazza’s monkey and a common squirrel monkey were found dead the previous day.
Another white-faced saki monkey died on Monday morning, while a De Brazza’s monkey that showed similar symptoms such as abnormal appetite and behaviour was placed under observation. The monkey is in isolation but it is said to be stable.
Other facilities in the zoo, run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, remained open.


Melioidosis is caused by the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium.
Dr Florence Tang Mei-kuen, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s school of biomedical sciences, described melioidosis as “common” among animals, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, where the bacterium is endemic.
“Various species, including mammals such as sheep, goats, pigs, cats and dogs, can be affected,” Tang said.
“In terms of specific prevalence, while melioidosis is more frequently reported in certain areas such as Southeast Asia and northern Australia, it is recognised that the bacteria can survive in soil and water in Hong Kong as well.
“The local climate may contribute to sporadic cases among wildlife and domestic animals.”
But Tang warned that it could pose serious health risks if humans caught the disease.
“In humans, it can lead to severe infections that may result in pneumonia, sepsis or localised infections. The mortality rate for untreated cases can range from 40 per cent to 75 per cent.
“There is no vaccine for the prevention of melioidosis. Although there have been isolated reports of zoonotic transmission, typically involving exposure to infected animal tissues or fluids, this is not common.”
The gardens, which form the oldest park in the city, fully opened to the public in 1871. The 5.6 hectares (13.8 acres) are divided into the eastern and western parts that are connected by a pedestrian underpass.
The eastern part, known as the Old Garden, is home to a children’s playground, aviaries, a greenhouse and a fountain terrace garden. The western part, or the New Garden, is mainly home to mammals and reptiles as part of the zoo.


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Hong Kong society

9 monkeys died from melioidosis bacterial infection in Hong Kong zoo

A De Brazza’s monkey at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central. Photo: Sam Tsang

Tourism chief Kevin Yeung (centre) says necropsies and laboratory tests revealed the diagnosis of melioidosis. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong’s John Lee says sudden monkey deaths ‘must be contained’, vows to uncover cause

Nine monkeys were found dead at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central. Photo: Sam Tsang

Ninth monkey dies at Hong Kong zoo, other animals in good health, bureau says

A De Brazza’s monkey was among eight animals found dead at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

A worker cleaning a cage at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central. The mammals section of the zoo has been closed until October 20. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong’s first human case of B virus fighting for his life after monkey attack

Wild monkeys in Hong Kong. Authorities have urged residents to keep their distance from the animals. Photo: Felix Wong

The man is currently in a critical condition in Yan Chai Hospital. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

News

Hong Kong

Society

Authorities say monkeys had melioidosis, a disease that can affect both animals and humans


Authorities say monkeys had melioidosis, a disease that can affect both animals and humans.


Animals