Is the mpox virus a threat to eastern gorillas?

Monkeypox, also known as mpox, is causing an epidemic currently raging in the east of the DRC. It is transmitted through direct, close contact with infected people or animals, and through contact with contaminated materials. The epidemic began in September 2023 and has since spread to Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Kenya.

Although there has never been a suspected or confirmed case of mpox in gorillas habituated to humans, we know that gorillas are susceptible to human pathogens and that this daily proximity increases the risk. Natural infections have occurred in chimpanzees in close contact with human cases and other non-human primates, which is why protecting habituated eastern gorillas is so crucial.

Gorillas and humans share more than 98% of their DNA, and 70% of the world's 1,063 mountain gorillas are habituated to the presence of humans to allow daily contact for tourism, research and conservation.

While the situation is described as "desperate" in South Kivu, where mpox cases are multiplying, the Lwiro primatology centre, its hospital and its vets are working flat out to respond to this unprecedented epidemic, but the needs remain immense. Lwiro has launched an appeal, to which Gorilla will respond.

Thank you for your support.

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Photo courtesy of Photocech