Florida Fast Food Drive-Thru Taken Over by Wild and Curious Monkey

Imagine rolling up to a Florida fast food drive-thru, expecting to order a classic chicken sandwich and fries, only to be greeted by a wild monkey who seems to be contemplating the menu with an air of sophistication. In Florida?! It's like stepping into a bizarre fast-food fever dream.

When it comes to living in the Sunshine state, we've seen a thing or two. But a real monkey?! This cheeky monkey decided to crash a Popeye's party in Orange City, and let’s just say, things got bananas.

According to Fox 35, the Orange City Police Department had their hands full with calls from people who couldn’t believe their eyes. Monkeys were out and about, and these weren’t your regular monkeys either; they were rhesus macaques, the Einstein of the monkey world. They like causing mischief and showing off their problem-solving skills. Like how to order from the drive thru.

The police decided to team up with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to handle this wild monkey business. But they had a word of advice for the people. Don’t feed or try to catch these mini Tarzans. Sure, they might look cute, but trust me, having a tug of war with a monkey over your food isn’t exactly a bucket-list moment. Do want your fries with a side of Monkey Pox?

Here's the real head scratcher though. No one’s sure how many of these little troublemakers are on the loose. The one that stole the show was caught chilling by the drive-thru window at a Popeye’s joint. I'm sure the employees, couldn’t believe their eyes!

And the citizens of Orange City? They’re just trying to wrap their heads around the whole situation too. So, if you spot a monkey doing something other than swinging from vines, don’t panic. Remember, you’ve got the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWC on speed dial. And let’s raise our fries to Orange City for giving us a taste of the unexpected... Fast food and furry visitors, what a combo!

You knew it would happen in time, Monkey Pox is getting closer to where we live here in Florida. Well, this time Pinellas health officials say they have first confirmed Monkey Pox case. We’re up to 22 cases in Florida.
News Channel 8 writes "According to FDOH, “Monkey Pox typically begins with flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, tiredness, muscle ache)] and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the face and body“

Cases also reported in Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach and Seminole counties.

Florida Department Of Health says  Monkey pox most often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by lymph node swelling, and then a rash on face and or body.

Transmission usually happens after human-to-human contact, and shows within 14 days. In most cases Monkey Pox illness will usually last 2 to 4 weeks.”

There is a vaccine available in some areas. The Department Of Health encourages a person to get vaccinated within 2 weeks of possible exposure.

Health department says risk is actually low. Human to human contact, and prolonged face to face contact increases transmission. Also direct contact with rash, or contact with contaminated clothing. Anyone with job related risk may want to get the vaccine in advance.