Truck with monkeys thought to carry Covid and other diseases crashed in Mississippi – The Independent

Report on Transportation Incident Involving Research Primates and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Summary

A vehicular accident occurred on Interstate 59 in Jasper County, Mississippi, involving a truck transporting 21 Rhesus monkeys. The incident resulted in the escape of six primates, prompting a response from local and state authorities.

• Location: Interstate 59, north of Heidelberg, Mississippi.
• Cargo: 21 caged Rhesus monkeys en route to a testing facility in Florida.
• Origin: The transport originated from the vicinity of the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center.
• Outcome: Six monkeys escaped the vehicle. As of the latest report, five of the six escaped primates have been destroyed, with one remaining at large.

Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The incident highlights critical intersections with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly concerning public health, biodiversity, and institutional effectiveness.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The event raised immediate public health concerns, directly engaging with the objectives of SDG 3.

• Risk of Zoonotic Disease: Initial reports from the driver indicated the monkeys were “aggressive” and potentially carried pathogens such as hepatitis C, herpes, and Covid-19. This scenario underscores the importance of Target 3.d: to strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks.
• Institutional Communication: Conflicting information emerged, with Tulane University later stating the primates were not infectious and had not been exposed to any infectious agents. This highlights a critical need for clear and accurate communication protocols to manage public health perceptions and prevent panic.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The escape of non-native species into a local environment and the welfare of the animals involved are central to the principles of SDG 15.

• Invasive Species Threat: The release of Rhesus monkeys into the Mississippi ecosystem poses a potential threat to local biodiversity, aligning with Target 15.8, which calls for measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems.
• Animal Welfare and Biodiversity: The incident, including the subsequent destruction of the escaped animals, brings attention to the conditions of animal transport and the ethical considerations of using primates in research, which relates to the broader goal of halting biodiversity loss (Target 15.5).

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The response to the crisis serves as a case study for the effectiveness and coordination of public institutions, a cornerstone of SDG 16.

1. Institutional Response: The coordinated efforts of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries demonstrate institutional action to mitigate a public safety and environmental threat.
2. Accountability and Transparency: The discrepancy between the driver’s warning and the university’s statement points to a need for greater transparency and accountability in the protocols governing the transport of research animals. Effective and accountable institutions (Target 16.6) are essential for managing the risks associated with such activities.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly addresses public health concerns. The initial reports that the monkeys were “thought to be carrying hepatitis C, herpes and Covid-19” and posed “potential health threats” highlight the risk of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans). The response from the sheriff’s department and the need for PPE underscore the immediate health risks perceived by the authorities.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The incident involves a failure in transportation safety. A truck carrying live animals, considered a potentially hazardous cargo, “overturned in Mississippi” on “Interstate 59”. This event relates to the safety and resilience of transport infrastructure and the need to manage risks associated with the transportation of goods through communities.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is relevant due to the escape of non-native species into a local ecosystem. The article states that Rhesus monkeys escaped and “went out into a wooded area.” This introduces the risk of an invasive alien species, which can disrupt local biodiversity. Furthermore, the use of primates for testing facilities and the subsequent decision to have “All but one of the escaped monkeys… destroyed” touch upon the broader issues of animal welfare and the management of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.3: “By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.” The article’s specific mention of the monkeys potentially carrying “hepatitis C, herpes and Covid-19” directly connects the incident to the goal of combating communicable diseases. It highlights a potential vector for disease spread that needs to be managed.
   • Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” The response of the Jasper County Sheriff’s department, which “took the appropriate actions after being given that information,” and the involvement of Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries demonstrate local institutional capacity being mobilized to manage a potential public health risk.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.2: “By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety…” The truck crash on Interstate 59 is a clear example of a road safety failure. The incident underscores the importance of ensuring the safe transport of all cargo, especially live animals that can pose secondary risks to the community if they escape.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.8: “By 2030, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.” The escape of six Rhesus monkeys into a “wooded area” in Mississippi is a direct example of the potential introduction of an invasive alien species. The authorities’ action to destroy the escaped monkeys represents a measure to control and eradicate this potential threat before it can establish a population and impact the local ecosystem.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

   The article implies indicators related to public health risk management. While it doesn’t provide statistics, the narrative itself serves as a case study.

   • Implied Indicator: Preparedness and response to potential zoonotic disease outbreaks. The mention of specific diseases (“hepatitis C, herpes and Covid-19”) and the immediate response by law enforcement based on perceived health threats point to the need to track and measure the effectiveness of protocols for such events.

2. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

   The article provides a specific data point related to road safety.

   • Mentioned Indicator: Number of road traffic accidents. The report of the truck crash (“truck… has overturned in Mississippi”) is a singular event that would be aggregated into official statistics for this indicator, particularly for accidents involving commercial or hazardous transport.

3. For SDG 15 (Life on Land)

   The article contains direct quantitative information that can be used as an indicator for managing invasive species.

   • Mentioned Indicator: Number of escaped non-native animals and the success rate of their control. The article specifies that “21 monkeys were on the truck, six of whom escaped” and that “All but one of the escaped monkeys have been destroyed.” These numbers can be used to measure the effectiveness of response measures to prevent the establishment of invasive alien species.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: independent.co.uk