A rhesus macaque infected with several dangerous viruses escaped after a traffic accident in the U.S. state of Mississippi, The Guardian reports, citing NewTimes.kz. The incident occurred on October 28, 2025, on Interstate 59 near the 117th mile marker, when a truck transporting laboratory animals from Tulane University overturned.
According to law enforcement officials, the truck was carrying rhesus macaques used in scientific research. These animals are known carriers of hepatitis C, herpes B, and COVID-19. Police warned that the monkeys, which weigh around 40 pounds (18 kilograms), can be aggressive toward humans and require special protective equipment for safe handling.
Emergency crews and local authorities quickly responded to the scene. Most of the escaped monkeys were located and euthanized due to the biohazard risk, but one animal remains unaccounted for. Specialized teams trained in the containment of biohazardous animals have been deployed to track and capture the remaining macaque.
Residents in the surrounding areas have been urged not to approach the animal under any circumstances and to immediately contact emergency services if they spot it. Officials emphasized that even minimal contact could pose serious health risks, as the viruses the monkeys carry can be transmitted through scratches or bodily fluids.
This is not the first incident of its kind in the United States. Two years ago, approximately 40 monkeys escaped from a research facility in South Carolina. Those macaques, used in neurological drug testing, were captured using traps and thermal imaging cameras.
Authorities are now investigating how the transport vehicle overturned and whether proper safety protocols were followed during the transfer of the animals. Environmental and public health agencies are monitoring the situation closely to prevent potential viral exposure to humans or wildlife.