Nine Monkeys Die from Melioidosis in Hong Kong Zoo

Nine monkeys at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens died from melioidosis, a bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, following recent digging work near their cages. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung indicated that the infection could result from contaminated soil brought into the monkeys' environment by workers' shoes. The deceased included three cotton-top tamarins, a critically endangered species, and other monkeys such as a De Brazza's monkey and a common squirrel monkey. Yeung assured the public that the disease does not pose a risk to humans and that infections typically occur through contact with contaminated soil and water, not from animal-to-human transmission. The zoo has since closed the affected area for disinfection and is taking measures to isolate any potentially infected animals. Health authorities are conducting further tests, although initial soil samples returned negative for the bacteria.