Transmission of MPXV from fire-footed rope squirrels to sooty mangabeys

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology

Background:

• Mpox virus (MPXV) is emerging in West and Central Africa, with African rodents suspected as reservoirs.
• Direct transmission of MPXV from rodents to non-human primates, like sooty mangabeys, has not been previously established.
• Understanding MPXV transmission dynamics is crucial for public health in affected regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the source of a monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak in a wild sooty mangabey group in Côte d'Ivoire.
• To identify the specific animal species responsible for transmitting MPXV to the mangabey population.
• To provide evidence of direct interspecies transmission of MPXV in a natural setting.

Main Methods:

• Genomic sequencing of MPXV from infected sooty mangabeys and potential animal reservoirs.
• Analysis of wildlife carcasses and environmental samples for MPXV presence.
• Dietary analysis using DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples from sooty mangabeys.
• Review of historical video records to assess past interactions between species.

Main Results:

• An MPXV outbreak occurred in a sooty mangabey group, causing infant mortality.
• A nearly identical MPXV genome was identified in a deceased fire-footed rope squirrel found near the mangabey territory.
• Dietary analysis confirmed mangabeys consumed fire-footed rope squirrels, with one positive MPXV sample containing squirrel DNA.
• Historical video evidence showed mangabeys eating the same squirrel species.

Conclusions:

• Fire-footed rope squirrels were identified as the source of the MPXV outbreak in sooty mangabeys.
• This study presents rare, direct evidence of MPXV interspecies transmission from squirrels to non-human primates.
• The findings highlight the potential zoonotic risk of MPXV transmission to humans through hunting and consumption of squirrels and non-human primates.