Better hope this shit doesn't jump species!


http://www.newscientist.c...=ns9993694

Horrific venereal disease strikes African baboons


18:07 02 May 03

NewScientist.com news service

A horrific venereal disease is preying on baboons in eastern Africa. An estimated 200 animals have been infected and scientists are scrambling to identify the mystery microbe that is attacking them.

The disease targets the reproductive organs of the primate. The consequences for male baboons are particularly gruesome, says Elibariki Mtui, of the African Wildlife Foundation in Arusha, Tanzania. "The genitals kind of rot away, then they just drop off," he told New Scientist.

The disease first appeared a month ago and while cases seem to be confined to Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania, there are fears it will spread from the affected troops of olive baboons to others nearby. "People are really concerned that it could be an epidemic," says Mtui. Wardens at the park confirm that some of the infected males had died.

"If it's sexually transmitted then it could spread," agrees Dee Carey, head veterinarian at the Southwest National Primate Research Centre in San Antonio, Texas. Baboons live in troops of up to 100 animals and although the females stay put within each "family", the males wander between them. But with so little information on the disease, says Carey, it is difficult to evaluate the risks.


Herpes-like lesions


The Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) in Tanzania has sent scientists to Lake Manyara to monitor the baboons and take samples from infected animals so that the virus or bacterium causing the disease can be identified. They are working in cooperation with the Institute of Primate research in neighbouring Kenya.

In a statement, the WRI says: "We are worried, but have the capacity to identify the disease because of our experience after decades of research on primates."

Venereal diseases are not unknown in baboons. In the captive colony of 4000 cared for by Carey, they occasionally see genital lesions caused by a herpes-like virus. These lesions can become infected but no animals have ever died.

"But then, we treat the animals," says Carey. He speculates that the baboon deaths in Tanzania may have been caused not by the venereal disease, but by subsequent infection.

This is one possibility that scientists in Tanzania will need to consider. But locals may be unwilling to back medical treatments for the sickly olive baboons because the animals are considered pests who steal food.


Jenny Hogan

...ur sick...

Watch out fellas.

HAHAHA! Evil monkeys! I am glad!