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Outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus Infection in Zoo, Slovenia

Tina Uršič, Nika Lalek, Pavel Kvapil

    Emerging Infectious Diseases
    |July 21, 2020
    PubMed

    Insights

    Human metapneumovirus transmission occurred between humans and chimpanzees, causing severe illness and death in the chimpanzee family. This highlights the risk of zoonotic disease spread and reverse zoonosis.

    Area of Science:

    • * Virology
    • * Zoonotic Diseases
    • * Primate Health

    Background:

    • * Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory pathogen primarily affecting young children.
    • * Limited information exists on hMPV transmission dynamics in non-human primates.

    Observation:

    • * A family of chimpanzees experienced severe bronchopneumonia following potential exposure to an infected human keeper.
    • * Four out of six chimpanzees fell ill, with two succumbing to the infection.
    • * The chimpanzee keeper also exhibited symptoms consistent with respiratory illness.

    Findings:

    • * Genetic sequencing confirmed 100% identity between the hMPV strains isolated from the affected chimpanzees and their human keeper.
    • * This provides definitive evidence of a bidirectional transmission event of hMPV between humans and chimpanzees.

    Implications:

    • * Demonstrates the potential for hMPV to cross the species barrier, posing a risk to susceptible primate populations.
    • * Highlights the possibility of reverse zoonosis, where pathogens can transmit from humans back to animals.
    • * Underscores the importance of monitoring and preventing pathogen transmission in captive wildlife and zoological settings.
    Keywords:
    Sloveniabronchopneumoniachimpanzeeshumansinfectionkeepermetapneumovirusoutbreakrespiratory infectionsviruseszoo

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