Mississippi monkey crash: what we know now about the Jasper County escape, disease rumors, and the hunt along I-59

A truck hauling research rhesus monkeys overturned on Interstate 59 near mile marker 117, just north of Heidelberg, Jasper County, Mississippi, sparking a tense search for animals described as aggressive and requiring trained handlers. The incident unfolded Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 28, local time). By early Wednesday, officials said most of the monkeys had been accounted for, with several destroyed at the scene for safety. Reports on the exact tally vary—figures cited include multiple fatalities, a dozen-plus captured, and one to three possibly unaccounted for—and remain subject to revision as agencies reconcile counts.

Were the Mississippi lab monkeys diseased?

No. The monkeys were not infected with hepatitis viruses, herpes B, COVID, or other experimental pathogens, per updates from the research program responsible for the shipment. Early local alerts used worst-case language about potential diseases; those warnings were later clarified to emphasize that the animals had not been exposed to infectious agents. The heightened caution was about bite and scratch risk and the need for personal protective equipment around stressed primates—not an ongoing public health outbreak.

Where the monkeys came from and where they were headed

Authorities confirmed the shipment originated from a national primate research program associated with Tulane University. The truck was reportedly moving rhesus macaques used in biomedical research when it overturned, scattering wooden crates labeled “live animals.” Law enforcement, wildlife specialists, and university personnel coordinated overnight to recover surviving animals and secure the crash area.

Timeline of the Mississippi monkey escape

• Tue., Oct. 28 — ~2:00 p.m. CT: Truck overturns on I-59 northbound near Heidelberg; multiple crates breach.

• Late afternoon–evening: Deputies and responders track animals into nearby woods; some monkeys destroyed for public safety; others recovered alive.

• Overnight–Wed., Oct. 29: Conflicting counts circulate (captured, deceased, and potentially missing). Disease-exposure rumors are publicly corrected by the research program.

• Wed. morning: Search narrows around woodlots and drainage corridors off the interstate; officials urge residents to avoid contact and report sightings.

Public guidance for Jasper County and nearby communities

• Do not approach. If you see a monkey, do not feed, chase, or attempt capture. Stressed primates can bite or scratch.

• Call it in. Report sightings to Jasper County Sheriff’s Office or local 911, noting location, time, and behavior.

• Pets and livestock: Keep animals leashed or penned until the all-clear, especially near timber edges and creek lines.

• Crash site caution: Stay clear of the interstate shoulder and any marked search zones while crews work.

Why “aggressive” and “PPE” warnings were used

Rhesus macaques are powerful, fast, and can inflict serious injuries. Standard protocols require trained handlers in PPE (bite-resistant gloves, face/eye protection) for capture. Those safety rules—common in laboratory and wildlife contexts—were misread online as proof of a contagious disease threat. Current briefings reiterate that the animals themselves are not infection sources from lab exposure; the risk is physical injury and secondary bacterial infection from bites or scratches, as with any wild mammal encounter.

What investigators are looking at next

• Crash cause: Mechanical failure, load shift, or driver factors are being reviewed by state and county authorities.

• Containment chain: How the crates were secured, why some failed, and whether transport protocols were followed.

• Animal accounting: A reconciled ledger of total on board, recovered alive, deceased, and any outstanding.

• Disposal and decontamination: Proper handling of deceased animals and sanitization of the crash corridor and vehicles.

Context: research primates in transit

The United States maintains regulated colonies of rhesus macaques for vaccine development, neuroscience, and other biomedical fields. Transport events are routine, but escapes after roadway accidents are rare. When they occur, responders follow a playbook focused on scene safety, rapid recovery, and clear risk communication. Expect additional scrutiny of restraint systems, route planning, and emergency response coordination after this incident.

• A truck crash on I-59 released research rhesus monkeys in Jasper County, MS.

• Most animals are accounted for; numbers are still being reconciled.

• No verified disease threat from lab exposure—injury risk is the concern.

• Residents should avoid contact and report sightings while the search concludes.

• Authorities and the research program will issue a final count and post-incident review once the scene is fully cleared.

This story is developing. Officials are expected to update capture counts and the crash investigation later today.