Warning of deadly virus threat from wild monkeys

People have been warned not to touch or feed wild monkeys after a deadly virus was found in monkeys in Taiwan.

Monkey B virus, also known as herpes B virus, is common and usually harmless to monkeys. But it is fatal in 70 per cent of cases involving humans.

The virus can be transmitted through monkey bites, scratches, or contact with infected monkey tissue, cells, or fluids. Symptoms include small blisters near the site of the infection, redness of the eyes, flu-like aches, headaches and lack of co-ordination.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said at this stage there were no plans to test wild monkeys in the city for the virus.

But he said the public should not feed wild monkeys or get close to them. Feeding monkeys led to a change in their natural habits, he said, and posed a threat to the public.

The department said people who wanted to interact with animals should stick to licensed places like zoos, where the health of the animals was monitored.