A possible case of hantavirus infection in a Borneo orangutan and its conservation implication
C-C Chen1, K J-C Pei, C-M Yang
1Pingtung Rescue Center for Endangered Wild Animals, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.
Background:
Natural infection of hantavirus in orangutans has never been reported.
Methods:
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and RT-PCR were used to diagnosis a suspected case in a pet orangutan in southern Taiwan.
Results:
Although the RT-PCR result was negative, the high IgG titer in the beginning and its dramatic drop after treatments suggested a recent Seoul-type hantavirus infection.
Conclusions:
Hantavirus transmission and its potential damage to wild orangutans should not be overlooked.
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