Lab Monkeys on the Loose in Mississippi After Truck Crash
A dramatic scene unfolded on Interstate 59 in Mississippi yesterday when a truck carrying rhesus monkeys from Tulane University in New Orleans crashed, releasing potentially diseased primates onto the highway. The incident has left authorities scrambling to contain the situation and reassure the public about the risk of infection.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, the truck was transporting lab monkeys infected with various viruses, including hepatitis C and Covid-19, posing a significant health threat to humans. The department warned that the monkeys are aggressive towards humans and require special protective gear to handle them safely.
However, in a surprising twist, a spokesperson for Tulane University disputed the claim that the monkeys were infectious. "The primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious," Andrew Yawn said. "We're actively collaborating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed."
Initially, all but one of the monkeys were reported to have been eliminated after the crash, leaving authorities searching for the lone remaining monkey still on the loose. The situation remains fluid, with officials working tirelessly to round up the escaped primate and mitigate any potential risks.
The incident has raised concerns about laboratory animal welfare and the safety protocols in place when handling infected subjects. As the search for the rogue monkey continues, residents of Mississippi are being advised to exercise caution and report any sightings to local authorities.
A dramatic scene unfolded on Interstate 59 in Mississippi yesterday when a truck carrying rhesus monkeys from Tulane University in New Orleans crashed, releasing potentially diseased primates onto the highway. The incident has left authorities scrambling to contain the situation and reassure the public about the risk of infection.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, the truck was transporting lab monkeys infected with various viruses, including hepatitis C and Covid-19, posing a significant health threat to humans. The department warned that the monkeys are aggressive towards humans and require special protective gear to handle them safely.
However, in a surprising twist, a spokesperson for Tulane University disputed the claim that the monkeys were infectious. "The primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious," Andrew Yawn said. "We're actively collaborating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed."
Initially, all but one of the monkeys were reported to have been eliminated after the crash, leaving authorities searching for the lone remaining monkey still on the loose. The situation remains fluid, with officials working tirelessly to round up the escaped primate and mitigate any potential risks.
The incident has raised concerns about laboratory animal welfare and the safety protocols in place when handling infected subjects. As the search for the rogue monkey continues, residents of Mississippi are being advised to exercise caution and report any sightings to local authorities.
i was driving by interstate 59 yesterday and saw all these people running around trying to catch some monkeys 
it's crazy that one of them got away and is still out there 
i mean, what if they're carrying covid or something? that's just too close to home for me 
tulane university needs to get their act together, this is a huge safety concern 
how did they even transport infected monkeys without anyone noticing? 
and now we have to deal with the aftermath 
i hope they catch that last monkey soon, my anxiety can't take it 
i mean can you even imagine being that nervous about lab monkeys? 
I'm surprised no one's talking about the welfare of the poor animals themselves, stuck in a truck with no food or water for who knows how long. This whole situation is just a nightmare waiting to happen 
. And Tulane University is saying they're not infectious? That sounds kinda fishy to me... Shouldn't they know if their monkeys are carrying diseases or not? Anyway, hope they catch that last monkey ASAP and don't let anyone get hurt 
And these little guys are carrying all sorts of viruses, including Covid-19 and hepatitis C... that's just crazy talk! 
I mean, I get it, we need to study them and all, but can't they just keep 'em in their cages or something? 
Or worse, they get infected?! 
The thought of it is giving me the heebie-jeebies. I'm all for animal welfare and safety protocols, but come on! How could this happen?! 
. One entity, huh? Sounds like they're trying to pull a fast one on everyone. Meanwhile, the rest of us are just dealing with the whole " maybe I'll get bitten by a rabid monkey" situation 
. Can't wait for that team of animal care experts to come and save the day... or not 
... poor little guys! But seriously, this is a huge concern for public health and safety. What if someone gets bitten or scratched by one of these infected monkeys? 
The fact that only one monkey is still on the loose makes it all the more unsettling - when will we catch that last guy? 
I hope the authorities get him soon!
. I mean, just think about it - they're already stressed from being in a truck for hours, and now they've got all these weird chemicals and viruses going around them... it's like a health nightmare 
. I'm all about animal welfare, and this incident just makes me really sad 
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also, I'm like, really worried about those people who have been bitten or scratched by them... hepatitis C and Covid-19, that's no joke! 
The fact that they were transporting infected primates and didn't have proper containment measures in place is just worrying. I mean, can you imagine if one of those monkeys got into a house or something? 
. I mean, if they're already infected with hepatitis C and Covid-19, what's the worst that could happen? 
