4 lemurs die of human herpesvirus, including one that had been used in a 'lemur yoga' class
Researchers recently confirmed cases of human herpesvirus infection in four lemurs, which died of the infection after having close contact with humans.
Four lemurs, including one that had participated in a "lemur yoga" class, died after contracting a human herpesvirus, according to a new study. The virus responsible was herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is prevalent in humans but can be deadly for primates. The four lemurs, all privately owned, all developed encephalitis and died within a span of eight years.
This marks the first time an HSV-1 infection has been confirmed in lemurs through molecular analysis, specifically PCR tests. HSV-1 is typically harmless in humans, often causing cold sores, but can cause severe brain inflammation and death in primates. The study's co-author, Dr. Jim Wellehan, emphasized the dangers of close human-lemur contact, stating that lemurs are not biologically equipped to handle such close interactions with humans.
The other three lemurs were exotic pets with similar close human contact. The researchers found inflammation and destruction of brain tissue, along with abnormal structures indicative of HSV-1 infection, in the deceased lemurs' brains. This highlights the risks of close contact between humans and captive primates, even in accredited zoos with stringent biosecurity measures.
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