There’s a Growing Population of Wild Monkeys With a Deadly Herpes Virus in Florida

There’s a Growing Population of Wild Monkeys With a Deadly Herpes Virus in Florida

5 years ago
Anonymous $L9wC17otzH

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/a3mmnz/rhesus-macaque-monkeys-herpes-florida

Experts say that a population of rhesus macaques infected with a deadly herpes virus in central Florida is on the verge of doubling, which increases the risk that the virus will be transmitted to humans.

According to local ABC-affiliate WFTV, the approximately 200 rhesus macaques that roam Silver Springs State Park were brought to Florida in the 1930s and were originally contained on an island within the park. Over the past 80 years, however, the monkeys have spread throughout central Florida and according to one expert, the population is set to double in the coming years.