Gorilla Health Program - Spring 2003 Update

Since the late 1990s, the Field Veterinary Program (FVP) has been leading the Preventive Health Program for Free-ranging Lowland Gorillas in key areas throughout Central Africa. In these forests, gorillas and humans share not only their land, but also countless zoonotic diseases, ranging from deadly measles infections to the mysterious Ebola virus. FVP veterinarians have been working with local human populations to minimize the potential of disease transmission between humans and gorillas through wildlife health monitoring, park management, and disease prevention.

Recently, zoonotic diseases have captured international attention as viral epidemics such as SARS and Ebola take their toll on human populations around the world. The current Ebola outbreak (2002/2003) made headlines as both gorilla and human populations were greatly impacted: In the Lossi region of northwestern Congo, this devastating disease killed approximately 600 great apes and more than 130 humans to date. 

In response to this crisis, FVP Field veterinarians Drs. William Karesh and Trish Reed attended an emergency workshop in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, which brought together a multi-disciplinary gathering of experts to address Ebola and the relationship of human and wildlife health. From the meeting, two objectives are clear: to better understand the Ebola virus, and to develop methods to prevent its proliferation in both human and wildlife populations. One of the key conclusions from the meeting is the lack of public awareness and education about Ebola: People in affected areas had little access to current information about the disease, the infectious process, or preventive measures. Without this basic knowledge, local populations are not equipped to cope with, much less prevent, the outbreak of emerging infectious diseases.

On a recent trip to the northern region of Congo and southern Central Africa Republic, Dr. Reed met with villagers, ecoguards, and educational workers to "de-mystify" all the local rumors about Ebola and to help disseminate accurate, current information. She was able to engage the local population in discussions by distributing posters and showing simple Powerpoint presentations. People in these communities closest to the "hotspots" learned of potential sources of infection, including contact with bushmeat, infected animal carcasses, and infected family members. By distributing information prior to an outbreak, Dr. Reed hopes that local populations will be empowered to change their behavior and protect themselves and their communities.

Also as a result of the Brazzaville meeting, FVP Department Head Dr. William Karesh traveled to the Lossi Gorilla Sanctuary, near Odzala National Park, in June 2003 to work with two NGO’s (ECOFAC and CIRMF). The goal was evaluate the current situation and to collect biological samples from the hard-hit western lowland gorilla population in this region to test for exposure to Ebola. Our best data suggest that the disease has halved gorilla numbers in the most recent outbreak and the individual outbreaks are occurring ominously closer to Odzala National Park, home to one of the world’s largest gorilla populations. The FVP is continuing to work closely with park staff and training them in proper response efforts.

Wildlife and human health are intrinsically linked: When Ebola swept through the central Africa region, the disease took its toll indiscriminately on great apes and people. The FVP's global approach to health-through the Gorilla Health Program- continues to search for ways to protect great apes while simultaneously protecting the people who live in the same areas.  To help fund the WCS Field Veterinary Program and its efforts to save wildlife in central Africa, click here.

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