Today, tourism and human expansion expose non-human primates to people and the diseases they carry. As a result, primate populations prone to human encounters are at risk of contracting potentially fatal human diseases for which apes and monkeys have no defense systems – not to mention the risks humans take of contracting ape and monkey diseases. So while natural diseases have always threatened primate populations, recent exposure to diseases traditionally unique to humans pose a new threat to apes and monkeys and visa versa. Measles, Tetanus, Diptheria, Polio, Rabies, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Herpes are a named few.
Most of these diseases are spread through a bite or exposure to the saliva of monkeys or their nasal secretions. The rest are spread through exposure to monkey faeces. Monkeys are subject to sudden and violent mood swings – particularly those with identity issues. A monkey that is peacefully grooming or playing can, without warning, attack strangers it finds threatening or as rivals for attention and affection. Fearful monkeys also bite to defend themselves.
A common problem in monkeys is human measles. The signs of measles in monkeys are rash, fever, facial swelling and eye and nasal discharge. The incubation period after being exposed to a human with measles is nine to 11 days.
Poliomyelitis can occur in chimps and other great apes, colobus monkeys and possibly other monkey species as well.Monkeys, like humans catch tetanus from contaminated wounds.
Monkeys are very susceptible to human and cattle tuberculosis. Unlike humans, moneys have no natural resistance to the disease. When they do catch it from a human, it usually spreads very fast in their bodies and to areas other than their lungs. So unlike in humans, tuberculosis in monkeys is usually a rapid, severe and fatal disease. During their illness, they can spread the disease to anyone who comes in contact with them or their waste.
Hepatitis B is a more serious disease in humans than hepatitis A. This is because hepatitis B can lead to chronic liver damage. Monkeys, particularly great apes, commonly carry the hepatitis B virus. Some of the strains of hepatitis B found in monkeys appear to be native monkey strains, while others appear to have been contracted from humans.
Humans and non human primates each have Herpes viruses which can be common and not especially serious in their own species, but can cause severe disease or fatalities when passed to the other.
Therefore it is VERY important to get vaccinated before working with non human primates, or travelling to an area where contact between humans and non human primates may occur....!
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Please contact the Travel Clinic Ltd to make an appointment if you would like more information, or to have some vaccines on 01223 367362 or enquiries@travelclinic.ltd.uk
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