Melioidosis, a bacterial infection, was responsible for killing at least nine monkeys at a Hong Kong zoo, authorities said, as a further two died over the weekend, taking the total to 11 in the past week.

The Post explains the cause of the infections and how you can keep yourself safe Melioidosis has returned to the public spotlight after health authorities confirmed the disease caused the death of nine monkeys at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

Officials say nine monkeys died at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens as a result of contracting melioidosis, a bacterial infection.

Nine monkeys who died in Hong Kong’s oldest zoo in two days this week had been infected with an endemic disease, possibly after some digging work near their cages, officials said on Friday.

Melioidosis cases witness a spike after heavy rainfall, hurricanes or other severe weather events as it leads to the rise of bacteria on the surface of the soil, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nine monkeys who died in Hong Kong's oldest zoo in two days this week had been infected with an endemic disease, possibly after some digging work near their cages, officials said on Friday.

Before the nine monkeys died they displayed unusual behaviour and appetite - a 10th was seen acting similarly but officials said that, as of Friday, its condition remained stable.

A 11th monkey from the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens was found dead on Sunday whilst under quarantine, the government has said. In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the government said a common squirrel monkey died while being placed under isolated surveillance.