Florida introduced rhesus macaques for tourism in the 1930s, now they carry a potentially fatal virus

Wild rhesus macaques in Florida carry herpes B virus, posing a potential human health risk. A study found about a quarter of sampled macaques had been infected with the virus. Some animals actively shed the virus, especially during the breeding season. The circulating virus strains are genetically similar to dangerous laboratory versions. No human cases have been confirmed from these wild populations yet.

By TOI World Desk