Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
malariae
(Galinski and Barnwell,
2009
). These new findings raise numerous
questions. How prevalent is
P. knowlesi
infection in humans and primates? Is
P. knowlesi
infection in humans a recent phenomenon, or has it been tak-
ing place, undetected, for a long time? What are the important reservoirs for
infection? Which vectors are most important in its transmission? This is an
exciting arena for research in the next decade.
Management considerations
The potential impact of cross-species disease transmission on public health
and primate conservation should be kept in mind as an important consideration
in making decisions regarding management of long-tailed macaque popula-
tions. We strongly advocate an approach that emphasizes gathering relevant
data in a methodologically rigorous fashion and using this information to guide
evidence-based policy making. Such an approach first explores and character-
izes the human-primate interface, in terms of geography, human and primate
populations, and contexts of interspecies contact. Subsequently, reservoirs of
infectious agents, both in human and primates are identified and ongoing sero-
logical surveillance is conducted. Based on these data, specific areas and con-
texts that present high risk for potential cross-species disease transmission can
be prioritized. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating the perspectives of
different fields of study is necessary to integrate diverse data.
Though, as we point out, few data are available on which to firmly base
specific recommendations, we would venture some hypotheses regarding iden-
tification of high-risk situations. Certain contexts, by their nature, may consti-
tute particular risks for the transmission of human pathogens to wild primate
populations. Pet primates, for example, may be seen as potential conduits for
pathogens passing from human reservoirs to wild primates. As we have pointed
out, the prolonged, intimate contact pets have with owners, their families, and
even their communities provides many opportunities for exposure to infec-
tious agents that infect humans. Children are much more likely than adults to
carry and transmit a broad range of infectious agents characteristic of their age
group, respiratory viruses and rotaviruses, for example. Children may be less
reticent about reaching out and touching a monkey, or, for that matter, about
coughing on one. It is also common practice for pet owners to release their
pet monkeys when the pets outgrow their appeal-as they generally do as they
mature, grow large teeth and become aggressive. These released pets may find
their way to groups of free-ranging monkeys that have yet to encounter human
pathogens. This situation is a potentially dangerous one for these wild mon-
keys, particularly with pathogens such as measles virus.
