Monkey dies of infection at National Zoo

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- A bacterial disease has reportedly killed a black-and-white colobus monkey and infected a cheetah at the National Zoo in Washington.

The Washington Post said the monkey died Nov. 18 from leptospirosis, a disease zoo animals may contract by consuming food and water contaminated by rodents.

Since the monkey's death, the zoo has trapped "batches" of rats, and all have tested negative for the infection, but officials say other wild animals, such as raccoons, may also carry the disease.

Kenneth Harkin, a leptospirosis specialist at Kansas State University, told the Post although humans can be infected, the risk to zoo patrons is very low, "probably about a zero."