[Press Release] : Health Department still trying to locate monkey

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Deidre Wood, Public Information Specialist - (573) 874-7632,
dfwood at GoColumbiaMo.com 

Health Department still trying to locate monkey 

COLUMBIA, MO (September 27, 2007) - The Columbia/Boone County Health
Department appreciates the recent community awareness of locating a
monkey that recently bit a 7 year-old boy.

The department has received several leads on locating a monkey that was
last seen with a woman on Saturday, Sept. 22, near downtown Columbia and
at Stephens Park. The department is utilizing many resources and has
sent out a team of environmental specialist to follow up on these leads.
Additionally, the department is working with other regional health
departments and the Department of Health and Senior Services.

One of the recent leads includes a second verified report that another
child, an 11 year-old girl, was bitten by the monkey at Stephens Park as
well.

There are several diseases that monkey’s can carry including rabies
and Simian B disease (Herpes B Virus). While rarely transmitted, the
Simian B disease does include an antiviral that must be given within 24
hours of the bite. With all bite cases, the department urges anyone who
might have also been bitten by the monkey to seek medical attention.

The Health Department is still interested and concerned in pursing the
owner of the monkey to assess the risk of potential diseases to the
children.

If anyone has any information on how to locate the owner of the monkey,
please call Animal Control at (573) 449-1888. All calls will be kept
confidential.

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