Tuberculosis Outbreak at Madagascar Zoo Has Killed Endangered Species Including Lemurs

A tuberculosis outbreak at a zoo in Madagascar has claimed the lives of critically endangered primates, particularly types of lemurs that have never been known to contract the illness.

Lemurs at Madagascar zoo are being killed by tuberculosis

(Photo : Sebastian Klein/Unsplash)

Eight black-and-white ruffed lemurs, one sifaka, and one fossa have recently passed away at the government-run Tsimbazaza Zoo and Botanical Park (PBZT) in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, all from suspected cases of the illness, as per National Geographic.

The occurrence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis) inside the tissues of some of the dead animals has been confirmed by researchers from the Institut Pasteur of Madagascar with the assistance of IUCN members.

Jonah Ratsimbazafy, a Malagasy primatologist, believes that the zoo, which is home to several hundred animals and is still open to visitors, must be shut down right once.

There are around a dozen different kinds of lemurs at the Tsimbazaza Zoo, and the outbreak comprises the first known cases of sifaka, fossa, and black-and-white ruffed lemurs, according to Ratsimbazafy. Ruffed lemurs, sifaka, and fossa are all classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

The sickness in the pet lemur was first discovered by a team led by National Geographic Explorer Marni LaFleur, an anthropologist at the University of San Diego in California who studies the species. Last year. She claims that zoo visitors frequently share pictures of themselves touching and feeding lemurs on Instagram.

According to Ratsimbazafy, if the zoo is not shut down, personnel and animals may infect visitors with tuberculosis. The zoo is unable to contain this extremely dangerous illness

He also stated that the death of animals will probably be necessary to stop the spread of disease at PBZT. He strongly advises against hunting lemures in the wild to replace any that may be put down or have already passed away.

Read More: Badgers Can Carry Tuberculosis Across Great Distances, Study Finds

Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine tuberculosis is a long-lasting bacterial infection that affects cattle. It is largely brought on by M. bovis. It also has an impact on wild animals including wild boars, deer, and antelopes as well as other domesticated animals like sheep, goats, equines, pigs, dogs, and cats, as per WOAH.

In many underdeveloped nations, bovine tuberculosis continues to be a significant threat to both animal and human health.

M. tuberculosis is the root cause of human TB, which is the most prevalent. Clinically, it is impossible to distinguish M-caused illnesses, nevertheless.

Those who have TB brought on by M. bovis, could be responsible for up to 10% of cases of human tuberculosis in some nations.

The inclination of M may make the diagnosis more difficult. extrapulmonary infection), and the discovery of M. bovis infections in tissues beyond the lungs. Bovis has a built-in resistance to pyrazinamide, a popular antibacterial used to treat human tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis transmission

It is possible to contract the disease by direct contact with infected domestic or wild animals or indirectly by ingesting contaminated food or drink.

By inhaling contaminated aerosols that are exhaled from the lungs, commonly cow herds are typically affected (by coughing).

Colostrum or milk from infected cows can spread the infection to calves. Raw milk from infected cows can infect humans, as can contact diseased tissues at abattoirs or butcheries.

The disease progresses slowly and may take months or years to become fatal. As a result, an infected animal may spread the infection to the herd before any symptoms manifest.

Therefore, one of the main ways the disease is disseminated is via domestic animals that are moving while afflicted.

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