A commotion broke out on a U.S. highway when a group of laboratory monkeys that could carry viruses escaped. Most were found and shot, but one remaining monkey has not been located and a search is ongoing.
According to the Guardian on the 28th (local time), the Jasper County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi said in a Facebook post that a truck carrying 21 rhesus monkeys was involved in a traffic crash that afternoon on Interstate 59.
The truck was transporting monkeys belonging to Tulane University's laboratory in New Orleans, Louisiana, to another research facility in Florida.
According to the sheriff's office, the monkeys appeared to be infected with several viruses, including hepatitis C, COVID-19, and herpes. The sheriff's office said the monkeys could pose a potential health threat to humans and weigh about 18 kg with aggressive tendencies, and asked that if anyone spots a monkey, do not approach and report it to authorities.
However, Tulane University, which managed them, said the monkeys are not contagious and noted it is actively cooperating with authorities.
All but one of the escaped monkeys were reportedly shot that afternoon. The sheriff's office is currently searching for the remaining one.