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Fire-Footed Rope Squirrels Identified as Natural Reservoir for Monkeypox Virus
Greifswald, Germany – Researchers have identified fire-footed rope squirrels (Funisciurus pyrrhothrix) as a natural reservoir for the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a important step forward in understanding the origins and transmission dynamics of the disease. The findings, published in Nature on May 21, 2024, reveal a previously unknown link in the MPXV lifecycle and highlight the importance of continued ecological and health monitoring in Central and West Africa.
The study demonstrates that MPXV can circulate within rope squirrel populations without causing apparent illness, and that these squirrels can transmit the virus to other mammals, including sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atellans), a known host species. This transmission was observed in Côte d’Ivoire’s Taï National Park, a biodiversity hotspot.
“This finding was only possible thanks to long-term ecological research, continuous health monitoring, and systematic sampling in the taï National Park,” says Fabian Leendertz, lead author of the study, Director of the Robert Koch Institute’s (RKI) Centre for Global Health, and Co-Director of the Taï Chimpanzee Project.“Such efforts must be continued and expanded to better understand the risks posed by emerging infectious diseases – including monkeypox – and to proactively address them.”
The research team collected over 200 samples from squirrels and other animals in the park.Genetic analysis revealed the presence of MPXV in rope squirrels, with evidence of ongoing viral evolution within the squirrel population.The virus found in the squirrels was closely related to the strains circulating in humans and other animals in the region.
Josef Penninger, Scientific Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), emphasizes the importance of international collaboration. “This study also demonstrates the great value of close cooperation with our African partners. Only through strong, trusting partnerships with local authorities and research institutions can we effectively combat zoonotic diseases – and thus make a difference not only regionally but worldwide.”
Implications for Public Health
The identification of rope squirrels as a reservoir species has significant implications for public health. While the exact mechanisms of spillover to humans are still being investigated, understanding the role of this reservoir is crucial for developing effective prevention and control strategies. The study suggests that reducing human-animal contact and protecting forest habitats are vital steps in minimizing the risk of future outbreaks.
The 2022-2023 global monkeypox outbreak (now often referred to as Mpox) highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of the virus’s natural history. This research provides a critical piece of that puzzle. Further research will focus on determining the prevalence of MPXV in rope squirrel populations across its range, and on identifying the factors that contribute to viral transmission to other species, including humans.
About the Study:
The study was conducted in collaboration with an international research team from the following institutions:
* Taï Chimpanzee Project,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire,Abidjan,Côte d’Ivoire
* Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly Korhogo,Korhogo,Côte d’Ivoire
* Senckenberg Museum für Naturkunde Görlitz,Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung,Germany
* Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut,Greifswald–Insel Riems,Germany
* Technische Universität Dresden,Germany
* Queen mary University of london,London,UK
* Institut des sciences Cognitives,CNRS UMR5229,Université Lyon,France
* German Primate Centre,Göttingen,Germany
* Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny d’Abidjan-Cocody,Abidjan,Côte d’Ivoire
* University of Gre