Comments on: Bonobo Outbreak: Update from Democratic Republic of Congo

By: John Gordon

John Gordon — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:22:18 +0000

I’d love to know more about the virus.

I’d wonder about the SARS virus in particular. One strain of it was quite dangerous to humans, but it is not now considered a major threat.

By: Bonobo Outbreak Update | The Loom | Discover Magazine

Bonobo Outbreak Update | The Loom | Discover Magazine — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:03:29 +0000

[...] looks like the outbreak among the bonobos I blogged about last week is over. From an update from Vanessa Woods: …the flu is over. [...]

By: luca

luca — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:34:13 +0000

I guess this kind of thing will just become more common, as human populations encroach on natural habitat which are the last reserve for the other african apes. Differently from us, hey haven’t been tempered by thousands of years of animal husbandry, and derived zoonotic diseases. Did you pass on this post to Zara at Aetiology? She might have some good to say about it.

By: Reference « Pandemic Influenza Information

Reference « Pandemic Influenza Information — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:56:14 +0000

[...] is fatal to humans, but it’s not. it’’s not ebola or bird flu or any other disease … http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/04/03/bonobo-outbreak-update-from-democratic-republic-of... April 4, 2009 Discover [...]

By: Mahlatse Gallens

Mahlatse Gallens — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 04:20:59 +0000

HI I was wondering if you coudl put me in touch with Vannessa Woods.

I am a journalist with South African broadcasting Co-ooporation based in Kinshasa. Would love to do a feature on the sanctuary….

My details are hlatseentle@yahoo.com

By: Bjørn Østman

Bjørn Østman — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:51:50 +0000

I’m not an expert, but it has been argued that humans have been selected for resistance to many different pathogens, which would have the result of strengthening the immune system. This have come about through contact with our many different domesticated animals. Bonobos probably haven’t been subject to such a diverse range of diseases. Additionally, a large population size makes evolving resistance more likely, since more mutations are tried the more offspring is had (in absolute numbers).

By: Romeo Vitelli

Romeo Vitelli — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:46:55 +0000

Is it because they’re such a small population with reduced genetic diversity that they have so little resistance?

By: Catherine Mitchell

Catherine Mitchell — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:50:13 +0000

Thank you for this update. This has been helpful. I will be sure to post it to my social network pages.

I thought though that H5N1 is contagious for 24 to 48 hours prior to the symptoms showing up. Not that this is H5N1, but it is helpful to know this for future reference.

Someone once told me to watch our pets and look to nature for clues as to what may befall us. I do keep an eye on the animal world. The story about the Bonobos was compelling.

Thanks again

All the best,
Catherine