Human tuberculosis caused the partial paralysis in the young baboon, Marcus, that was put down in June.
But TB experts have warned that, rather than baboons being viewed as a health threat to humans, the diagnosis should sound the alarm about the transfer of human disease to wild animals...
But TB experts have warned that, rather than baboons being viewed as a health threat to humans, the diagnosis should sound the alarm about the transfer of human disease to wild animals...
Referring to South Africa's high incidence of TB among humans, he said it was far more likely that infection would come from another person.
"As a precaution, anyone whose house has been raided by a baboon should destroy any food the baboon may have tasted or touched," Van Helden advised.
Beamish said the Peninsula's baboon population of 384 180 was already stressed due to isolation, ring fencing by urbanisation and conflict with humans.
"A health risk introduced by humans is a serious threat to their continued presence in the Peninsula," she warned. - Cape Argus
No comments:
Post a Comment