Macaque Rhesus Monkeys Are Carriers of Herpes Virus B; They Are in the Zoo, Says Grigoryan

We have internal information that in December, a rhesus macaque was transferred to the Yerevan Zoo from the "Oasis" restaurant in Gyumri without compliance with veterinary sanitary and quarantine requirements.

This was stated today, February 7, during a meeting with journalists by the first head of the State Food Safety Service, Grigor Grigoryan.

"Macaque rhesus monkeys are carriers of the herpes virus B, which can have fatal consequences. This monkey has been kept in the zoo's territory without the necessary conditions—specifically in a veterinary clinic, which is prohibited. Those who have had contact with the monkey are very likely to be infected," he noted.

Grigoryan also mentioned that, according to his information, wild boars have also died in the zoo: "According to our information, they died from African swine fever, which is a particularly dangerous disease. Cases of dying wild boars have already been registered at the zoo, and any pigs brought to the zoo are at risk."