Monkey's in urban Malaysia pose disease threat

Kuala Lumpur: Thousands of monkeys forced out of forests into Malaysia's city streets pose a threat to people as many of them are carrying blood parasites and the herpes virus, Veterinary experts warned in a report.

The monkeys are making new homes in the cities due to the massive destruction of forests that has pushed the wildlife to seek shelter and food in urban areas, said Dr S Vellayan, vice-president, Veterinary Association Malaysia.

Humans could be infected with diseases carried by these monkeys, if there was close contact, he said.

"Once these monkeys carry the virus, there is a possibility that those who keep them as pets would contract the disease," Vellayan was quoted as saying in a newspaper.

"However, the situation also works in reverse, as monkeys easily catch diseases from humans," he adds.

The observation was based on the post-mortem conducted on the monkeys killed in road accidents or dead ones brought to the zoo, said Vellayan.

He found they had suffered from simian malaria, dengue, blood parasite and herpes virus, among other diseases.

"The ministry viewed seriously the migration of monkeys to urban areas and the danger of diseases brought from them to humans," said Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid, Natural Re-sources and Environment Minister.

"A thorough study is being done on the issue. We will reveal later the steps that we will take once we have completed our probe," he added.