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Abstract
In 2006–2007 we observed an unusual mortality event among apes in northern Republic of Congo that, although not diagnostically confirmed, we believe to have been a disease outbreak. In 2007–2011 we conducted ape nest surveys in the region, recording 11,835 G. g. gorilla nests (2,262 groups) and 5,548 P. t. troglodytes nests (2,139 groups). We developed a statistical model to determine likely points of origin of the outbreak to help identify variables associated with disease emergence and spread. We modeled disease spread across the study area, using suitable habitat conditions for apes as proxy for local ape densities. Infectious status outputs from that spread model were then used alongside vegetation, temperature, precipitation and human impact factors as explanatory variables in a Generalized Linear Model framework to explain observed 2007–2011 ape nest trends in the region. The best models predicted emergence in the western region of Odzala-Kokoua National Park and north of the last confirmed Ebola virus disease epizootics. Roads were consistently associated with attenuation of modeled virus spread. As disease is amongst the leading threats to great apes, gaining a better understanding of disease transmission dynamics in these species is imperative. Identifying ecological drivers underpinning a disease emergence event and transmission dynamics in apes is critical to creating better predictive models to guide wildlife management, develop potential protective measures for wildlife and to reduce potential zoonotic transmission to humans. The results of our model represent an important step in understanding variables related to great ape disease ecology in Central Africa.
Highlights
The Congo basin of Central Africa is home to roughly 80% of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes), categorized as “critically endangered” and “endangered”, respectively
Over the past roughly 20 years numerous mortality events have occurred amongst great apes in the greater Gabon and Republic of Congo (Congo) region of Central Africa, typically in regions of high ape density [3,4]
The specific areas that we identified as priority for this survey were within the Ngombé Forestry Management Unit east of Odzala-Kokoua National Park (OKNP), a region of suspected large-scale great ape mortality associated with Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks
Summary
The Congo basin of Central Africa is home to roughly 80% of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes), categorized as “critically endangered” and “endangered”, respectively. Major threats to these species include hunting, habitat loss and disease [1]. Zoonotic emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) have increased significantly in recent decades, with roughly 70% originating in wildlife [2]. The cause(s) of these mass mortality events have usually not been definitively determined, but the broad extent, seemingly rapid occurrence and apparent densitydependent nature of the die-offs strongly suggest a highly pathogenic infectious disease. Ebola virus disease (EVD), in particular, has been proposed as a likely cause of many, if not the majority, of these die-offs [4,5,6,7]
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