AN escape of lab monkeys on a Pennsylvania highway has sparked fears of a virus outbreak after a woman who came into contact with them later fell ill.

Michelle Fallon stopped to help after a truck carrying 100 cynomolgus macaques crashed on Interstate 80, spilling animal crates across the tarmac.

State troopers said four of the primates were on the loose and warned the public not to try to catch them on Friday evening.

They have all since been accounted for.

Now it has emerged a passerby who was at the scene is being treated for symptoms of an unknown illness.

Michelle, of nearby Danville, was driving behind the truck when it crashed on the way to a research facility.

She got out to help the driver with the smashed crates, initially believing they were transporting cats.

When she put her hand on a cage, one of the three monkeys inside hissed at her but she was not bitten or scratched.

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She said she also stepped in animal feces amid the chaos as four monkeys ran away into woodland.

The next day she developed Covid-like symptoms including a cough and pink eye.

Doctors gave her the first of four rabies injections together with an anti-viral drug.

She said on Facebook she was contacted by the CDC and is being monitored for symptoms of rabies and monkey herpes virus B. 

First responders who attended the crash were also told to check themselves for symptoms.

The B virus is extremely rare in humans but leads to severe brain damage and death if not treated promptly.

Victims get it from monkey bites and scratches and there is only one documented case of a human patient transmitting it to another person, according to the CDC.

Lab monkeys have also in past been found to be infected with tuberculosis, Chagas disease, cholera and MRSA.

Anyone who comes within five feet is ordered to register with health authorities and report any symptoms.

"What a day!", Michelle posted online.

"I tried to help out at an accident and was told there were cats in the crates. So I went over to pet them only to find out it's monkeys.

"Then I noticed that there was three in each, with some completely broken, so I knew four had got away.

"I came home to go to bed and my aunt ran into a news crew and she found out not to get too close to the monkey.

"Well, I tried to pet one. I touched the crates and walked in poop. I was told meet the police at the scene to talk about exposure.

'Day from hell'

"I spoke with the police and a woman from the CDC. I am getting a letter and I'm very low risk for I don't know what yet.

"But my symptoms are covid symptoms. Like seriously. A day from hell!"

The monkeys were being driven to a lab in Florida after landing at New York's JFK airport on a flight from Mauritius.

The nature of the research project was not disclosed, but cynomolgus macaques are commonly used in pre-clinical drug trials.

Infectious disease experts from the CDC helped Pennsylvania police and health officials seal off the road after Friday's 4pm escape in Montour County.

Troopers issued an alert to the public, sharing a photo of one monkey that was spotted up a tree off Route 54.

They tweeted: “Anyone who sees or locates the monkey is asked not to approach, attempt to catch, or come in contact with the monkey. Please call 911 immediately.”

Trooper Lauren Lesher said the concern was “due to it not being a domesticated animal and them being in an unknown territory. It is hard to say how they would react to a human approaching them.”

A helicopter and firefighters with a thermal camera were called in to help with the search by cops and the PA State Game Commission.

News outlet WNEP said woods where one monkey was spotted were searched with flashlights around 7pm.

It said: "We later heard three shots ring out. It’s unclear what type of weapon was used and we’re not sure where the monkey is or its condition."

At least one monkey was said to have been found on Friday night.

On Saturday the CDC said all 100 macaques had been accounted for.

Three were dead after being "euthanized", but the statement did not say why.

All the surviving animals will be quarantined and checked for signs of illness.

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