Effect of Human Diseases on Great Apes

Scientists have highlighted the risk posed by the SARS CoV 2 to the great ape population around the world.

Great Apes

Great apes or Hominidae is a family of primates that includes several species like gorilla, orangutan, chimpanzee, bonobos, etc. Humans (the Homo species) are also part of this family. They share such close genetic relation with humans that many countries have banned using great apes for research testing.

Previous Instance

A previous case where a human disease significantly affected the great apes was during the Ebola outbreak in Africa. The Ebola virus causes a mortality rate of 95% among the great apes. In 1995, an Ebola outbreak wiped out 90% of the gorilla population in Gabon.

Risk of COVID-19

Scientists have highlighted that the great apes are susceptible to infection from the SARS CoV 2. This is because they share 96 to 99% of their DNA with humans. The Great Ape Health Consortium urged all governments to take measures to prevent the spread of the virus to the great ape populations.