Monkeys in Florida could spread herpes

A growing population of roaming monkeys in Florida carry a herpes virus that is deadly to humans.

Wildlife Managers want to remove rhesus macaques from Silver State Park because a new study revealed that the animals are not just carrying herpes B. They also pose a risk of spreading it.

Human cases of herpes B are rare, with only about 50 documented worldwide with 21 of those cases being fatal.

According to CBS news, there have been no known transmissions of the virus from wild rhesus macaques to humans.

Researcher’s warn that some of the monkeys excrete the virus through their feces and saliva, which means workers and visitors could be endangered if bitten, scratched or coming into contact with urine or feces.

The monkey’s were originally introduced to the park in the 1930’s and there are now believed to be about 175 of them roaming around.