Why Touching Monkeys in Bali and Hong Kong Can Be Dangerous

① Man Infected with B Virus

A male visitor to Hong Kong has contracted a viral infection following an encounter with a primate. According to international sources, a 37-year-old man who was exploring Kam Shan Country Park was hospitalized following an altercation with a wild macaque, exhibiting symptoms of fever and diminished consciousness.

On April 4th, the Hong Kong Health Protection Center divulged that cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed the presence of the B virus, commonly associated with macaque saliva, urine, and feces. This marks the first documented human infection with the B virus in Hong Kong.

The B virus, also recognized as Herpes B virus or Herpesvirus simiae, is a frequently encountered contagion among macaques. Infected primates typically remain asymptomatic or display only mild symptoms.

However, while human infection with the B virus is exceedingly rare, it tends to be fatal in most cases, unlike in monkeys. Initial symptoms mimic the flu, but as time progresses, the virus can migrate to the brain and spinal cord, causing damage to the nervous system and potentially resulting in death. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 70% of human cases infected with the B virus are fatal.

The male individual who was attacked by a monkey in Hong Kong was admitted to the hospital on March 21st and remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Following the revelation of the man’s B virus infection, Hong Kong health authorities have advised maintaining distance from monkeys. They recommend refraining from feeding monkeys, washing any wounds immediately, and seeking medical attention if bitten or touched by a monkey.

Kam Shan Country Park, where the man was attacked, is also known as “Monkey Hill” in Hong Kong. It is renowned as a place where monkeys can be frequently observed and a popular tourist destination.

② Troubled by Monkey Attacks

Even in Bali, Indonesia, people are facing troubles due to monkey attacks. In January, a video surfaced on social media showing a monkey tearing apart a passport at a temple in Bali. The monkey grabbed the passport with its hand and started tearing the paper with its teeth. Despite the woman’s distress, the monkey persisted with its actions.

Bali’s monkeys are notorious for snatching tourists’ belongings and not returning them until they are given food. They take everything from smartphones to glasses and food, only returning the items after receiving food.

An expert has suggested that the monkeys have learned a culture of looting through prolonged contact with humans. They specifically target items most likely to be exchanged for food by humans, such as glasses, smartphones, and wallets. Moreover, there are many cases where monkeys run off with human belongings and do not return, leaving the owners with no choice but to let go of their items.

Furthermore, monkeys may also charge at humans and occasionally bite them. One can contract diseases by being bitten or coming into contact with a monkey. There are many places in Bali where you can see monkeys while traveling, so avoiding contact is essential.

Feeding monkeys should also be avoided, and personal belongings should be well guarded. It’s perceived as aggressive to look a monkey in the eye, so it’s best to avoid it.

③ Thailand Initiates Monkey Expulsion Campaign

The monkey-related issues persist in Thailand. In Lopburi, Thailand, efforts to expel monkeys have been intensified. The provincial police department of Lopburi has even established a “Monkey Suppression Team” to focus on capturing monkeys. Lopburi is renowned for coexisting with monkeys, attracting numerous tourists who are eager to see them.

However, as the monkey population continues to grow, instances of them causing harm to humans have increased. The monkeys resort to various actions to find food. They’ve overturned all the trash cans on the streets, resulting in a foul smell throughout the city. They’ve invaded stores, stealing food and even driving away customers, thereby threatening livelihoods.

The Thai government has announced that residents affected by monkey attacks will receive compensation equivalent to about $3,240. Thailand is abandoning setting traps in various urban areas to capture monkeys. Instead, the monkeys will be sent to a wildlife rescue center and transferred to a monkey park.