Chimpanzees Stay Healthy with COVID-like Safety Measures

Masking, distancing, and quarantines have been found to keep chimpanzees safe from human diseases, according to a new study. This is crucial as many viral diseases can transfer from humans to primates, leading to severe consequences.

A viral outbreak originating from humans was detected at Ngogo, a research site for chimpanzees in Uganda's Kibale National Park on Dec. 31, 2016. The outbreak resulted in the death of 25 out of nearly 200 Ngogo chimps that had been under study for three decades.

The study, published in the journal Biological Conservation and led by a University of Arizona primatologist, highlights the effectiveness of protocols like quarantining and masking in preventing outbreaks similar to the one at Ngogo.

These findings could influence best practices to protect chimpanzees and other ape species, not only at research sites but also at tourist-heavy conservation sites.

Researcher Jacob Negrey, the study's lead author, emphasized the importance of safeguarding healthy chimps for continued study and understanding of humans. He pointed out the increased risk of disease transmission to chimps regularly visited by tourists due to exposure to a wide range of people.

Fieldwork at Ngogo, a prominent chimp research site, involves studying factors affecting chimp health, such as age-related diseases and viruses. Researchers at Ngogo had adopted protocols to prevent human disease transmission even before the 2017 outbreak.

The outbreak prompted the implementation of stricter health protocols, including maintaining distance from chimps, wearing masks, and regular hand sanitization. These measures, along with a quarantine procedure, have proven effective in reducing viral shedding and instances of coughing among the chimps.

The study, based on data from chimp waste samples collected over several years, demonstrates the positive impact of stringent health measures in protecting chimpanzees from human diseases.

According to the source: Digital Journal.