SAN ANTONIO — An 11-year-old boy was reportedly bitten on his right ear by a vervet monkey while he was at a gathering at his mother’s home on Sunday, according to San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS).
The vervet species is a medium- to large-sized monkey native to Southeast Asia that has a lifespan of up to 30 years, ACS said in a news release. They say the primates can carry numerous zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, Herpes B virus, HIV, and monkeypox.
The boy’s family sought medical attention for the bite that was reported to ACS today.
It is illegal to own monkeys or other primates in the city of San Antonio. ACS said the monkey’s previous owner was cited for the bite, for possession of a prohibited species in San Antonio, and for having no proof of a valid rabies vaccination.
The monkey was surrendered to ACS, and investigators are working with the Texas Department of State Health Services and local primate experts on quarantine requirements.
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