Bubonic Plague strikes Denver, dozens dead...

[voivod]

DENVER — A capuchin monkey at the Denver Zoo has died of plague and officials are trying to prevent an epidemic by isolating the primates and treating them with antibiotics.

Zoo officials learned late Friday that the 8-year-old animal that died Wednesday tested positive for the flea-borne disease, according to a zoo statement.

More than a dozen squirrels and at least one rabbit have been found dead of plague in the City Park area just east of downtown, which includes a golf course, the zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature of Science.

The monkey, which was acting lethargic, was found dead by a zookeeper. Zoo veterinarian Dr. David Kenny suspects the primate ate the carcass of an infected dead squirrel.

Plague is common in Colorado during this time of year, but it usually occurs in rural parts of the state, where it's sometimes discovered when entire prairie dog colonies die off.

"We see it every year in wild rodents," said state health department epidemiologist John Pape. "But it's uncommon circulating in tree squirrels in urban neighborhoods, including metro Denver."

No other animals, including the other 17 capuchins, have shown any signs of illness, but as a precaution the monkeys have been taken from their usual display and placed in a separate caged display for observations. The capuchins have also been given antibiotics as a preventive measure.

Kenny said zoo officials are considering other measures on how to better shield other animals from possible contact with squirrels.

"It's a first time occurrence at the zoo, as far as we know," said Kenny.

The chances that a human could be infected is considered minimal. Health department officials suspect the disease was brought into the city by a fox or coyote.

One form of the plague, bubonic, is believed to have been the "Black Death" that killed 25 million people in Europe during the Middle Ages.

[stilleddiesangel]

Christ, for a moment there I thought we had people-plague on the rampage!

[voivod]

Christ, for a moment there I thought we had people-plague on the rampage!

I should get a job at CNN...

[darthadv]

I should get a job at CNN...

no, more like Fox...

[InTheBeginning]

Guess I'm not going to the zoo with my kids this year...well, at least not the monkey cage!

[Red]

My heart and my gut just dropped straight to the floor for a couple of seconds there. I think I'll have a cigarette and some calm reflection.

[Wickett]

I should get a job at CNN...

You could do the teasers for the local news..

"what you don't know about monkeys that could kill you... tune in at 10.."

[willy4pres]

Be afraid of voivod, be very afraid.

[smithjc]

I thought it was a people-plague as well. 'Vod - for shame!

[wham bam will rock]

"Monkey see, monkey do.......monkey.....die? Tonight at 11, only on your news leader."


What? No spank the monkey jokes yet?

[voivod]

Be afraid of voivod, be very afraid.

Z O M B I E M O N K E E S ! !

[chefcraig]

Uhh...didn't Stephen King's "The Stand" start out much like this?

[vhrocker]

Ain't no business like Monkey Business.

Hope ya get the job at CNN voivod. LOL!!!

[darthadv]

You could do the teasers for the local news..

"what you don't know about monkeys that could kill you... tune in at 10.."

or the headlines for Blabbermouth...

[Van Halenized]

"Shock the Monkey?" A local vet yes, "Yes"!!!

More at 11.