Granby Zoo alerts visitors of possible exposure to rare macaque virus
The Granby Zoo has warned anyone who may have been scratched, bitten or had saliva contact with a Japanese macaque on Aug. 4 to contact health officials for assessment.
Following a single event on Aug. 4 in which a visitor made physical contact with a Japanese macaque at the Granby Zoo, regional public health officials have issued a warning. The zoo advises anyone who was bitten, scratched, or whose open wound was exposed to the animal’s saliva to call 811 for a medical assessment. The advisory stems from concerns about the herpes B virus, which Japanese macaques can carry; human infection is extremely uncommon but may cause severe complications without prompt treatment.
The zoo reported that the contact occurred through the enclosure fencing and that it immediately implemented safety measures. Health authorities are coordinating the response and have set up support for anyone potentially exposed. Both the zoo and the public health agency continue to monitor the situation closely.
Why it matters
A rare virus that can cause serious illness may have been transmitted from a zoo animal to visitors.
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