Diseases transmissible from monkeys

Forest is a natural habitat of wildlife along with a variety of plants and insects that harbour countless microorganisms. A large majority of emerging and reemerging zoonotic infections may find their origin in wildlife. The distance between humans and wildlife has greatly diminished due to the anthropogenic activities such as:

·      Encroachment on wildlife habitat resulting in migration of wild animals

·      Forest clearing and forest fires

·      Changes in agricultural and animal husbandry practices

·      Wildlife trade

·      Translocation of wild animals

·      Ecotourism

·      Exotic pets and petting zoo animals

Zoonotic infections in primates (including monkeys) have great implications. Major non-human primate zoonotic infections are listed below.

·   Parasitic infections- Entamoeba histolytica, E. polecki, Giardia, Cryptosporidia, Plasmodium spp., Oesophagostomum bifurcum, Schistosoma mansoni, S. Mekongi, Bartiella studen, B. mucronata

·    Bacterial infections- Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Leptospira, Francisella tularensis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. avium, M. paratuberculosis, M. scrofulaceum, M. intercellulae, M. kansasii, M. gordnae, M. africanum, M. leprae

·     Viral infections- Hepatitis A, Monkey pox, Tana pox, Yaba pox, Measles, Marburg, Ebola, Simian Immunodeficiency, Herpes Simian B virus     

Care to be taken in case of monkey bite or scratch wounds

As a first aid, all bite or scratch wounds should be immediately and thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed with soap and water. A 0.25% hypochlorite solution wash followed by washing with detergent containing chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine for 15 minutes is recommended. Immediately thereafter, medical advice should be sought for further line of action.


Inputs

Dr. K. G. Narayan
Retired Dean
Veterinary College, Ranchi