Title |
Zoonotic Viruses Associated with Illegally Imported Wildlife Products
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Published in |
PLOS ONE, January 2012
|
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0029505 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Kristine M. Smith, Simon J. Anthony, William M. Switzer, Jonathan H. Epstein, Tracie Seimon, Hongwei Jia, Maria D. Sanchez, Thanh Thao Huynh, G. Gale Galland, Sheryl E. Shapiro, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Denise McAloose, Margot Stuchin, George Amato, Sergios-Orestis Kolokotronis, W. Ian Lipkin, William B. Karesh, Peter Daszak, Nina Marano |
Abstract |
The global trade in wildlife has historically contributed to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. The United States is the world's largest importer of wildlife and wildlife products, yet minimal pathogen surveillance has precluded assessment of the health risks posed by this practice. This report details the findings of a pilot project to establish surveillance methodology for zoonotic agents in confiscated wildlife products. Initial findings from samples collected at several international airports identified parts originating from nonhuman primate (NHP) and rodent species, including baboon, chimpanzee, mangabey, guenon, green monkey, cane rat and rat. Pathogen screening identified retroviruses (simian foamy virus) and/or herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus and lymphocryptovirus) in the NHP samples. These results are the first demonstration that illegal bushmeat importation into the United States could act as a conduit for pathogen spread, and suggest that implementation of disease surveillance of the wildlife trade will help facilitate prevention of disease emergence. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 21 | 44% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 4% |
Croatia | 1 | 2% |
Switzerland | 1 | 2% |
Egypt | 1 | 2% |
Australia | 1 | 2% |
Canada | 1 | 2% |
Japan | 1 | 2% |
South Africa | 1 | 2% |
Other | 3 | 6% |
Unknown | 15 | 31% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 35 | 73% |
Scientists | 8 | 17% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 3 | 6% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 4% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 9 | 2% |
United Kingdom | 6 | 2% |
Kenya | 3 | <1% |
Netherlands | 1 | <1% |
Brazil | 1 | <1% |
Canada | 1 | <1% |
Germany | 1 | <1% |
Denmark | 1 | <1% |
Mexico | 1 | <1% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
Unknown | 347 | 94% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 81 | 22% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 58 | 16% |
Student > Master | 48 | 13% |
Student > Bachelor | 46 | 12% |
Other | 23 | 6% |
Other | 68 | 18% |
Unknown | 47 | 13% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 147 | 40% |
Environmental Science | 44 | 12% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 33 | 9% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 30 | 8% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 16 | 4% |
Other | 48 | 13% |
Unknown | 53 | 14% |