Emerging Infectious Diseases (Apr 2011)

Human Metapneumovirus Infection in Wild Mountain Gorillas, Rwanda

  • Gustavo Palacios,
  • Linda J. Lowenstine,
  • Michael R. Cranfield,
  • Kirsten V.K. Gilardi,
  • Lucy Spelman,
  • Magda Lukasik-Braum,
  • Jean-Felix Kinani,
  • Antoine Mudakikwa,
  • Elisabeth Nyirakaragire,
  • Ana Valeria Bussetti,
  • Nazir Savji,
  • Stephen Hutchison,
  • Michael Egholm,
  • W. Ian Lipkin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1704.100883
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 4
pp. 711 – 713

Abstract

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The genetic relatedness of mountain gorillas and humans has led to concerns about interspecies transmission of infectious agents. Human-to-gorilla transmission may explain human metapneumovirus in 2 wild mountain gorillas that died during a respiratory disease outbreak in Rwanda in 2009. Surveillance is needed to ensure survival of these critically endangered animals.

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