Cartridge Monkey

Denver monkey dies of plague

Friday 25 May, 2007

A monkey at a zoo in Denver has died after contracting the plague, it has emerged.

According to the Caster Star-Tribune, although the capuchin monkey was found dead on Wednesday at Denver Zoo, the cause of its demise was not known until Friday last week.

Although the source of the infection has not been fully determined, it is believed to have occurred as a result of the monkey ingesting an infected dead squirrel.

"It's a first time occurrence at the zoo, as far as we know," said Dr David Kenny, a veterinary surgeon at the facility.

"We see it every year in wild rodents. But it's fairly uncommon circulating in tree squirrels in urban neighbourhoods," added John Pape, an epidemiologist at the state health department.

Outbreaks of plague are reportedly common since the rediscovery of the disease in 1957, although since then there have been 58 cases involving humans.

Caused by the Yersinia pestis enterobacteria, the most common plague variant is known as the bubonic plague.

However, the term plague also refers to any pandemic infection.

News

Denver monkey dies of plague

More news articles...