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Updated: Jun 29, 2025
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Vaccinia Virus Infection & Temporal Analysis of Virus Gene Expression: Part 1
Published on: April 8, 2009
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Link between Monkeypox Virus Genomes from Museum Specimens and 1965 Zoo Outbreak
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 25, 2024
Summary
Pathogen genomics revealed monkeypox virus in museum orangutan specimens. These samples represent cases from a 1965 monkeypox outbreak at Rotterdam Zoo.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Pathogen discovery
- Orangutan health
Background:
- Museum specimens offer valuable insights into historical animal health.
- Orangutan populations can be susceptible to zoonotic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin and cause of death of museum orangutan specimens using pathogen genomics.
- To identify the specific pathogen responsible for historical orangutan mortality events.
Main Methods:
- Pathogen genomic analysis of historical orangutan tissue samples.
- Retrospective identification of viral agents in animal specimens.
Main Results:
- Monkeypox virus (MPXV) genomes were successfully recovered from the orangutan specimens.
- Genomic data confirmed the specimens originated from a 1965 outbreak at Rotterdam Zoo.
Conclusions:
- Pathogen genomics is a powerful tool for understanding historical zoonotic disease outbreaks.
- The 1965 Rotterdam Zoo outbreak involved monkeypox virus, impacting orangutan populations.
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