Abstract
RHESUS monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and all other macaques are extremely susceptible to the fatal disease, simian haemorrhagic fever (SHF). Introduction of this agent into a laboratory colony will result rapidly in the complete loss of all macaques in that colony1–6. An outbreak in one of our rhesus colonies resulted in the loss of all 212 animals in a period of 12 d. Because of this great loss and its consequences, we initiated an investigation into the epizootiology, transmission and prevention of this disease. These studies have shown that the virus is carried as a chronic infection in patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) with no apparent signs of disease. It can be transmitted to the rhesus monkeys by accidental inoculation with tissue fluids, and once they are infected, spread by aerosol and contact is rapid.
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LONDON, W. Epizootiology, transmission and approach to prevention of fatal simian haemorrhagic fever in rhesus monkeys. Nature 268, 344–345 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/268344a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/268344a0
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