The infection, which is usually spread through contaminated soil or water, is believed to have originated from excavation work carried out near the monkeys' enclosure, according to Hong Kong's Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Kevin Yeung. One theory is that the monkeys' caretakers had contaminated soil on their shoes.
We are saddened by the death of the nine monkeys, says Yeung at a press conference, adding that the outbreak does not pose a threat to humans.
Eight of the monkeys were found dead in the zoo, Hong Kong's oldest, on Sunday. Another monkey died on Monday after displaying "abnormal behavior".
Three of the monkeys were cotton-top tamarins. They are small, tree-dwelling monkeys that are counted among the world's most endangered primates. Among the dead were also a Brazza's monkey, a common langur, and four saki monkeys.
