Study Reveals Florida Monkeys Carry Deadly Herpes Virus

Study Reveals Florida Monkeys Carry Deadly Herpes Virus The Emerging Infectious Disease journal reported feral rhesus macaques in Florida carry the Herpes B virus. Study author Samantha Wisely and her team analyzed the monkeys and found that 75 percent of older ones were carriers. The virus can be transmitted through the monkeys' urine, feces, or saliva. “There’s really a low risk of you getting it, but if you get it, there are going to be very high consequences.” Samantha Wisely, study author (New York Daily News) The CDC noted transmission to a human could cause "severe brain damage or death if the patient is not treated immediately." The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission told The AP it “supports the removal of these monkeys from the environment to help reduce the threat they pose."