Exposure to nonhuman primates in rural Cameroon

Nathan D. Wolfe, A. Tassy Prosser, Jean K. Carr, Ubald Tamoufe, Eitel Mpoudi-Ngole, J. Ndongo Torimiro, Matthew LeBreton, Francine E. McCutchan, Deborah L. Birx, Donald S. Burke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Exposure to nonhuman primates has led to the emergence of important diseases, including Ebola hemorrhagic fever, AIDS, and adult T-cell leukemia. To determine the extent of exposure to nonhuman primates, persons were examined in 17 remote villages in Cameroon that represented three habitats (savanna, gallery forest, and lowland forest). Questionnaire data were collected to assess whether persons kept wild animal pets; hunted and butchered wild game; had experienced bites, scratches, or injuries from live animals; or had been injured during hunting or butchering. While all villages had substantial exposure to nonhuman primates, higher rates of exposure were seen in lowland forest sites. The study demonstrates that exposure is not limited to small groups of hunters. A high percentage of rural villagers report exposure to nonhuman primate blood and body fluids and risk acquiring infectious diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2094-2099
Number of pages6
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume10
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Exposure to nonhuman primates in rural Cameroon'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this