Written By: N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe | Updated : October 30, 2025 4:56 PM IST
Three rhesus monkeys believed to be infected by multiple viruses that can cause COVID-19, hepatitis C, and herpes remained on the loose on Wednesday, after a truck overturned along a rural Mississippi highway.
According to reports, the incident occurred when a truck loaded with 21 rhesus monkeys being taken from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, overturned on Interstate 59 north of Heidelberg.
The latest report by the Jasper County Sheriff's Department revealed that animal experts from Tulane University examined the trailer and determined that three monkeys carrying "hepatitis C, herpes and Covid" virus had escaped. Taking cognisance of the situation, officials have warned residents not to approach the animals and to report if there are any sightings.
"The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans and they require [personal protective equipment] to handle," the Jasper County Sheriff's Office wrote in a Facebook post. "The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans. We took the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys. He also stated that you had to wear PPE equipment to handle the monkeys."
Information from Tulane pic.twitter.com/fbWf9hgx6E
Tulane University (@Tulane) October 29, 2025
Despite the speculation, Tulane University, in its recent X post, clarified that the monkeys were not infectious but "belonged to another entity."
"Nonhuman primates at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery. This is a common practice among research organizations. On October 28, a vehicle was transporting 21 Rhesus Macaques when an accident occurred on 1-59 in Mississippi," Tulane University X post read.
"The nonhuman primates were not being transported by Tulane, not owned by Tulane, and not in Tulane's custody. The primates in question were not carrying any diseases and had received recent checkups confirming that they were pathogen-free. Although Tulane did not transport or own the nonhuman primates at the time of the incident, we sent a team of animal care experts to assist in this tragic incident. Questions regarding the missing nonhuman primates and other details of this case should be referred to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office."
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