With the increase in smallpox cases in Brazil, attacks on monkeys are increasing in the South American country. “We have seen an increase in the number of incidents where animals are being chased, stoned or even poisoned,” said Dener Giovanni, coordinator of the International Network to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (Renctas).
“This is because there is still a lack of information in Brazilian society” that monkeys are not carriers of the virus and, therefore, do not pose a threat to humans. Several abused and poisoned monkeys were recently brought to the São José do Rio de Preto zoo, eleven of which died, according to a statement from the city in the state of São Paulo. An accompanying video showed the monkeys suffering.
“Must not attack monkeys”
The World Health Organization (WHO) expresses its concern about the events in Brazil: “People should not attack monkeys,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a news conference. There have also been repeated attacks on monkeys in Brazil during yellow fever outbreaks.
More than 2,000 cases in Brazil
Brazil had recorded nearly 2,300 smallpox cases as of Aug. 8, according to the Ministry of Health in Brasília. The first death outside Africa linked to the smallpox outbreak was confirmed in late July in South America’s largest country. According to the Ministry of Health, the patient had several previous illnesses and was therefore immunocompromised.
by Cristina Zwander