Sri Lanka, Oct. 3 -- A recent research conducted by the Wildlife Department and the animal health authorities has revealed that a bacterial infection caused by sexual contact, similar to syphilis has been spreading among monkeys and macaques in several areas in Polonnaruwa.

Wildlife Veterinary Surgeon in the Eastern Wildlife Zone Dr. Nihal Pushpakumara said several monkeys and macaques who showed the symptoms of syphilis had been traced during the research.

"Laboratory tests of blood samples and PCR tests of several macaques and black monkeys indicated that they had been affected by the virus causing this syphilis-like infection. The infection was visible in genital organs, in the skin and the anus of monkeys and macaques from Polonnaru...