A chaotic highway accident scene with an overturned truck, crates smashed open, and aggressive-looking monkeys with bared teeth escaping and swarming the road, under a cloudy Mississippi sky.
Truck Hauling 'Aggressive' Monkeys Carrying Herpes and COVID Overturns in Mississippi
HEIDELBERG, Miss. — A dramatic highway incident unfolded on October 28, 2025, when a commercial truck transporting Rhesus monkeys overturned on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi, leading to the escape of multiple primates and raising significant public health concerns.
The Incident
The crash occurred approximately 100 miles from Jackson, Mississippi, when the truck carrying the primates veered off the roadway and overturned. Video footage from the scene showed monkeys moving through tall grass near overturned crates marked "live animals" as emergency responders worked to contain the situation.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, which responded to the incident along with Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries, several monkeys escaped their transport containers following the crash. Authorities reported that all but one of the escaped animals were killed in the aftermath.
Health Concerns and Contradictions
Initial reports indicated the transported monkeys were potentially carrying diseases, including herpes B virus and COVID-19, raising immediate public health alarms. Rhesus macaques are known carriers of herpes B virus, which can be fatal to humans if transmitted through bites or scratches.
However, conflicting information emerged regarding the health status of the animals. The primates were reportedly housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center, a facility known for supplying laboratory animals for research purposes. Tulane University officials later contradicted the disease claims, asserting the monkeys had not been exposed to infectious agents.
Investigation and Response
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities working to determine what led to the truck's overturning. The exact number of monkeys involved in the transport, their ownership, and their intended destination were not immediately clear following the incident.
Emergency response teams implemented containment protocols to secure the area and prevent further escapes. The single remaining escaped monkey was the subject of an intensive search operation by wildlife officials.
Broader Implications
The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about the transportation of research animals and potential public health risks. Rhesus monkeys are commonly used in biomedical research due to their genetic similarity to humans, but their transport raises questions about safety protocols and disease transmission risks.
The contradictory information from different sources about the monkeys' health status created confusion among local residents and highlighted the need for transparent communication during such public health incidents.
As investigations continue, authorities emphasized the importance of proper handling and transport protocols for research animals to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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