Abstract
Zoonotic disease transmission and infections are of particular concern for humans and closely related great apes. In 2009, an outbreak of human metapneumovirus infection was associated with the death of a captive chimpanzee in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Biosecurity and surveillance for this virus in captive great ape populations should be considered.
Highlights
Zoological facilities in North America house endangered species of great apes with annual visitation rates of >100 million persons [1]
Staff members were required to notify management if they had a confirmed or suspected respiratory infection so that they were removed from direct interaction with animals
Within 1 week before the outbreak in chimpanzees, staff members at the great ape facility had respiratory disease, which coincided with peak human metapneumovirus (HMPV) season in the United States (Figure 1)
Summary
Zoological facilities in North America house endangered species of great apes with annual visitation rates of >100 million persons [1]. Staff members were required to notify management if they had a confirmed or suspected respiratory infection so that they were removed from direct interaction with animals. Within 1 week before the outbreak in chimpanzees, staff members at the great ape facility had respiratory disease (coughing and nasal discharge), which coincided with peak HMPV season in the United States (Figure 1).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
