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Preliminary report: isolation of Ebola virus from monkeys imported to USA
P B Jahrling1, T W Geisbert, D W Dalgard
1Disease Assessment Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21701.
Abstract:
An epizootic caused by an Ebola-related filovirus and by simian haemorrhagic fever virus began among cynomolgus monkeys in a US quarantine facility after introduction of monkeys from the Philippines. This incident, the first in which a filovirus has been isolated from non-human primates without deliberate infection, raises the possibility that cynomolgus monkeys could be a reservoir of Ebola virus infection.
Insights
An Ebola-related filovirus outbreak occurred in US quarantine facility cynomolgus monkeys imported from the Philippines. This finding suggests cynomolgus monkeys may act as a natural reservoir for Ebola virus infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Primate Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- An epizootic involving an Ebola-related filovirus and simian hemorrhagic fever virus affected cynomolgus monkeys in a US quarantine facility.
- The outbreak followed the introduction of monkeys from the Philippines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first isolation of a filovirus from non-human primates without deliberate infection.
- To investigate the potential role of cynomolgus monkeys as a reservoir for Ebola virus.
Main Methods:
- Epizootic investigation in a quarantine facility.
- Filovirus isolation and identification from affected cynomolgus monkeys.
- Epidemiological tracing of monkey origins.
Main Results:
- Successful isolation of an Ebola-related filovirus from naturally infected cynomolgus monkeys.
- Co-infection with simian hemorrhagic fever virus identified.
- Origin of infected monkeys traced to the Philippines.
Conclusions:
- Cynomolgus monkeys can harbor and transmit Ebola-related filoviruses naturally.
- The Philippines may be a source of filovirus introduction into naive populations.
- Further research is warranted to assess the reservoir potential of cynomolgus monkeys for Ebola virus.