Abstract
BackgroundWildlife may harbor infectious pathogens that are of zoonotic concern acting as a reservoir of diseases transmissible to humans and domestic animals. This is due to human-wildlife conflicts that have become more frequent and severe over recent decades, competition for the available natural habitats and resources leading to increased human encroachment on previously wild and uninhabited areas.MethodsA total of 88 spleen DNA samples from baboons and vervet monkeys from Zambia were tested for zoonotic pathogens using genus or species-specific PCR. The amplified products were then subjected to sequencing analysis.ResultsWe detected three different pathogenic agents, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 12 samples (13.6%), Rickettsia spp. in 35 samples (39.8%) and Babesia spp. in 2 samples (2.3%).ConclusionThe continuously increasing contacts between humans and primate populations raise concerns about transmission of pathogens between these groups. Therefore, increased medical and public awareness and public health surveillance support will be required to detect and control infections caused by these agents at the interface between humans and wildlife.
Highlights
Wildlife may harbor infectious pathogens that are of zoonotic concern acting as a reservoir of diseases transmissible to humans and domestic animals
Wildlife poses a threat as a potential source of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) to biodiversity conservation as well as human health
An investigation of pathogens in wild Non-human primates (NHP) found in habitats close to human settlements is of importance in the control and eradication of probable human zoonotic pathogens
Summary
Wildlife may harbor infectious pathogens that are of zoonotic concern acting as a reservoir of diseases transmissible to humans and domestic animals. This is due to human-wildlife conflicts that have become more frequent and severe over recent decades, competition for the available natural habitats and resources leading to increased human encroachment on previously wild and uninhabited areas. Human activities have contributed to a closer contact between humans and wildlife due to a complex relationship between social and environmental factors causing a major threat both to human health and biodiversity conservation mainly through disease transmission between the two groups [3,4,5]. Humanmonkey conflicts in the form of crop damage, grabbing of personal effects and direct injury are reported [6]
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