AIR SAC TREMATODES (CYCLOCOELIDAE STOSSICH, 1902) INFECTING BIRDS IN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

Air sac trematodes (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae) were detected in 23 avian species from eight aviaries in the United States. Most of the infected host species were passeriform birds, but a few species in other orders also were infected. Four species of adult flukes were encountered: Circumvitellatrema momota, Morishitium sp., Psophiatrema greineri, and Szidatitrema yamagutii. Findings from retrospective review of medical records, necropsy records, and author observations are presented. Potential terrestrial snail intermediate hosts were collected from three indoor aviaries. A high prevalence (47%) of larval trematode infections was demonstrated in one species of nonnative snail (Prosopeas achatinacea); one larva was isolated and matched to the adult species (C. momota) from birds using PCR. Problems with introducing potentially infected wild-caught birds into aviaries, and exchanging captive individuals between aviaries where they potentially may carry infections, are discussed.

Great ape health watch: Enhancing surveillance for emerging infectious diseases in great apes.

Infectious diseases have the potential to extirpate populations of great apes. As the interface between humans and great apes expands, zoonoses pose an increasingly severe threat to already endangered great ape populations. Despite recognition of the threat posed by human pathogens to great apes, health monitoring is only conducted for a small fraction of the world's wild great apes (and mostly those that are habituated) meaning that outbreaks of disease often go unrecognized and therefore unmitigated. This lack of surveillance (even in sites where capacity to conduct surveillance is present) is the most significant limiting factor in our ability to quickly detect and respond to emerging infectious diseases in great apes when they first appear. Accordingly, we must create a surveillance system that links disease outbreaks in humans and great apes in time and space, and enables veterinarians, clinicians, conservation managers, national decision makers, and the global health community to respond quickly to these events. Here, we review existing great ape health surveillance programs in African range habitats to identify successes, gaps, and challenges. We use these findings to argue that standardization of surveillance across sites and geographic scales, that monitors primate health in real-time and generates early warnings of disease outbreaks, is an efficient, low-cost step to conserve great ape populations. Such a surveillance program, which we call "Great Ape Health Watch" would lead to long-term improvements in outbreak preparedness, prevention, detection, and response, while generating valuable data for epidemiological research and sustainable conservation planning. Standardized monitoring of great apes would also make it easier to integrate with human surveillance activities. This approach would empower local stakeholders to link wildlife and human health, allowing for near real-time, bidirectional surveillance at the great ape-human interface.

Metastatic perioral melanoma in a wild mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei).

A 30-year-old free-ranging female mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) developed a perioral mass that was surgically debulked and diagnosed as malignant melanoma. After tumor recurrence, a canine melanoma vaccine was administered. However, the gorilla died shortly thereafter, and metastases to lymph nodes, lung, liver, and kidney were found post-mortem.

Molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in olive baboons and vervet monkeys in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Nonhuman primates (NHPs) play a significant role in zoonotic spill-overs, serving as either reservoirs, or amplifiers, of multiple neglected tropical diseases, including tick-borne infections. Anaplasma phagocytophilum are obligate intracellular bacteria of the family Anaplasmatacae, transmitted by Ixodid ticks and cause granulocytic anaplasmosis (formerly known as Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE)) in a wide range of wild and domestic mammals and humans too. The aim of this study was to determine whether Anaplasma phagocytophilum was circulating in olive baboons and vervet monkeys in Laikipia County, Kenya. RESULTS: Some 146 blood samples collected from olive baboons and 18 from vervet monkeys from Mpala Research Center and Ol jogi Conservancy in Laikipia County were screened for the presence of Anaplasma species using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and then A. phagocytophilum was confirmed by sequencing using conventional PCR targeting 16S rRNA. This study found an overall prevalence of 18.3% for Anaplasma species. DNA sequences confirmed Anaplasma phagocytophilum in olive baboons for the first time in Kenya. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information on the endemicity of A. phagocytophilum bacteria in olive baboons in Kenya. Future research is needed to establish the prevalence and public health implications of zoonotic A. phagocytophilum isolates and the role of nonhuman primates as reservoirs in the region.

Home range, sleeping site use, and band fissioning in hamadryas baboons: Improved estimates using GPS collars.

Variation in spatial and temporal distribution of resources drives animal movement patterns. Links between ecology and behavior are particularly salient for the multilevel society of hamadryas baboons, in which social units cleave and coalesce over time in response to ecological factors. Here, we used data from GPS collars to estimate home range size and assess temporal patterns of sleeping site use in a band of hamadryas baboons in Awash National Park, Ethiopia. We used GPS data derived from 2 to 3 collared baboons over three 8-12-month collaring intervals to estimate annual and monthly home ranges using kernel density estimators (KDEs) and minimum convex polygons (MCPs). The 95% KDE home range was 64.11 km2 for Collaring Interval I (July 2015-March 2016), 85.52 km2 for Collaring Interval II (October 2016-October 2017), 76.43 km2 for Collaring Interval III (July 2018-May 2019), and 75.25 km2 across all three collaring intervals. MCP home ranges were 103.46 km2 for Collaring Interval I, 97.90 km2 for Collaring Interval II, 105.22 km2 for Collaring Interval III, and 129.33 km2 overall. Ninety-five percent KDE home range sizes did not differ across months, nor correlate with temperature or precipitation, but monthly MCP home ranges increased with monthly precipitation. Our data also revealed a southward home range shift over time and seven previously unknown sleeping sites, three of which were used more often during the wet season. Band cohesion was highest during dry months and lowest during wet months, with fissioning occurring more frequently at higher temperatures. One pair of collared individuals from Collaring Interval III spent 95% of nights together, suggesting they were members of the same clan. Our results both suggest that previous studies have underestimated the home range size of hamadryas baboons and highlight the benefits of remote data collection.

RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF AFRICAN PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS) UNDER MANAGED CARE IN NORTH AMERICA: 2007-2018.

Currently, more than 20% (51/240) of zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums house African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in their collections. The African penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP) veterinary advisors regularly collect information from those facilities to characterize morbidity and mortality for this species and to collate preventative medicine and treatment regimens. These efforts resulted in more than 10 yr of collection of management data across the SSP, representing the care and management of more than a thousand birds. The most common morbidities reported included those of dermatologic (27%, 125/452 institutions) and musculoskeletal or neurologic (18%, 82/452 institutions) disease, while the most common causes of mortality were respiratory diseases (20%, 65/323 deaths) and systemic or multifactorial conditions (19%, 62/323 deaths). Aspergillosis cases accounted for 69% (45/65 deaths) of respiratory-related mortality and avian malaria cases comprised 31% (19/62 deaths) of mortality related to systemic diseases. Mortality was most commonly reported in geriatric birds, or those older than 15 yr of age (34%, 111/323 deaths). Reproductive related mortality was only defined in female birds, while other causes of death were more evenly distributed between sexes. Utilizing the SSP data to determine morbidity and mortality trends within this population provides important information to veterinary and animal care teams, allowing them to provide enhanced levels of care to the penguins housed at their institutions. By recognizing the most important diseases and causes of death in this species, management and healthcare resources can target conditions with the highest impact on the population.

MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF TAKIN (BUDORCAS TAXICOLOR) IN NORTH AMERICAN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS FROM 1997 TO 2017.

Takin (Budorcus taxicolor) are classified as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List. Thus, ex situ conservation efforts provide assurance populations for future survival of this species. The objective of this study was to identify common causes of morbidity and mortality in takin populations in human care. Twenty North American institutions that housed takin from 1997 to 2017 completed a survey requesting medical and husbandry data. Data were examined broadly, by sex and age groups. There were 206 morbidity events (male = 133; female = 73) submitted across 102 takin (male = 62; female = 40). The most common causes of morbidity were infectious or inflammatory diseases (50%; 104/206), degenerative diseases (22%; 46/206), and traumatic events (17%; 34/206). Necropsy reports were provided for 42 takin that died during the study period. The most common causes of mortality were infectious or inflammatory diseases (26%; 11/42), traumatic events (24%; 10/42), and degenerative disease (12%; 5/42). Sixty-two percent of infectious or inflammatory diseases causing morbidity were associated with endoparasites (64/104). Degenerative joint diseases more commonly affected males (78%; 36/46) as well as forelimbs (48%; 22/46) when compared to hindlimbs (30%; 14/46) and unspecified limbs (22%; 10/46). The prevalence of trauma as a cause of morbidity and mortality was higher in neonate and juvenile takin groups combined (morbidity = 19%; mortality = 50%) as compared to adult and senior takin groups combined (morbidity = 15%; mortality = 11%). Older takin were euthanatized more often (57%; 16/28) than younger takin (29%; 4/14). Correlations between husbandry and health were difficult as a result of the inherent limitations of the survey. These data will inform takin-holding zoologic institutions and contribute to the successful management of takin in human care.

ANESTHESIA WITH MEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE AND DEXMEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE IN MOUNTAIN GORILLAS (GORILLA BERINGEI BERINGEI).

Between December 2002 and September 2017, 125 anesthetic procedures involving free-living and orphaned captive mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) were performed in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in East-Central Africa. Of these 125 immobilizations, 114 records were complete enough for inclusion into this study. Anesthetic and physiologic data from these 114 cases were analyzed, of which 57 used medetomidine-ketamine and 57 used dexmedetomidine-ketamine administered intramuscularly. With the use of estimated weights, the mean induction dosage (mg/kg ± SD) for medetomidine was 0.033 ± 0.003 (n = 42), for dexmedetomidine 0.018 ± 0.005 (n = 53), and for ketamine 3.66 ± 0.95 (n = 95). Mean time from injection of induction dose to recumbency was 6.8 ± 3.1 min (n = 74). Atipamezole was administered intramuscularly to reverse anesthesia. First signs of recovery occurred at 5.0 ± 4.0 min, and full recovery was 19.0 ± 17.0 min after administration of the reversal agent. No significant differences in physiologic parameters or anesthetic time variables were noted between healthy and unhealthy individuals. Mean heart rate was 72.0 ± 17.6 beats/min (n = 83) and mean oxygen saturation was 96.5% ± 4.2 (n = 62). Mean respiratory rate was 27 ± 9 breaths/min (n = 84) and mean body temperature 36.6°C ± 1.2 (n = 61). The current protocol has several advantages for field use in this species given its quick induction, few observed side effects, and ability to reverse so that the animal can return more quickly to its social group.

ESTABLISHMENT OF ACUTE-PHASE PROTEIN AND SERUM PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS PRELIMINARY REFERENCE VALUES FOR PRONGHORN (ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA).

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) are native to western North America and are found in 24 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited institutions. Acute-phase proteins (APP) are a broad class of proteins that are stimulated in response to inflammation and have been shown to be a sensitive measure of inflammation in equids and ruminants. In this study, blood samples from clinically normal free-ranging and captive populations of pronghorn were analyzed using assays for protein electrophoresis (EPH) and APP, including serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (HP), to develop preliminary ranges to gauge potential differences between these populations. Additional samples were taken from clinically abnormal captive pronghorn with facial abscesses. By EPH measurements, albumin: globulin ratio mean and SE were significantly different (P <0.05) with 1.02 (0.08) for captive populations and 1.91 (0.05) for free-ranging populations. Total protein mean and SE were significantly different (P <0.05) for captive and free-ranging populations, respectively 5.6 (0.3) g/dl and 6.9 (0.1) g/dl. Mean and SD of SAA for captive pronghorn were 1.4 (3.2) mg/L, and were significantly different from the free-ranging population, which was below the limits of detection for (P <0.05). There was no difference in HP levels between these groups. In a case study of a pronghorn with facial abscesses, elevated levels of HP, but not SAA, suggested that HP maybe useful in certain disease states. Future studies should explore the use of these biomarkers as tools to monitor general health, prognosis, and subclinical disease.

Endemicity of Yaws and Seroprevalence of Treponema pallidum Antibodies in Nonhuman Primates, Kenya.

Human yaws has historically been endemic to Kenya, but current epidemiologic data are lacking. We report seroprevalence for Treponema pallidum antibodies in olive baboons (Papio anubis) and vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in Laikipia County, Kenya. Our results suggest endemicity of the yaws bacterium in monkeys, posing a possible zoonotic threat to humans.

SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF BAYLISASCARIS PROCYONIS IN PRIMATES USING A HUMAN ELISA TEST.

The usefulness of a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological diagnosis of Baylisascaris procyonis larva migrans was assessed in nonhuman primates (NHP). The test was originally developed as an assay performed on human samples at Purdue University. Six participating zoos submitted 258 NHP serum samples, spanning these major phylogenetic groups: 1) great apes (n = 84), 2) lesser apes (n = 17), 3) Old World monkeys (n = 84), 4) New World monkeys (n = 20), and 5) prosimians (n = 53). Sera were tested in duplicate using a microtiter-well ELISA with B. procyonis larval excretory-secretory proteins as antigen, and serum from an experimentally infected baboon (Papio anubis) served as positive control. The ELISA clearly identified seropositive animals in all zoos. With putative cutoffs of optical density (OD) measured at 405 nm (OD405) of <0.150 = negative, 0.150-0.250 = indeterminate, and >0.250 = positive, 149 of 258 (57.8%) were clearly negative (mean OD 0.046), and 78 of 258 (30.2%) were clearly positive (mean OD 0.657, range 0.253-1.773), the rest being indeterminate. Of these, 15 were high positive with OD 1.095-1.773 (mean 1.314). Positive animals were seen from all zoos; 76 (97.4%) were great apes, lesser apes, or Old World monkeys. The four highest ODs were in a siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus), lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), and western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), all from different zoos. Prosimians had a mean OD of 0.039 and New World monkeys 0.021, indicating that human reagents either did not work for these groups or few infected animals were represented. These results indicate that the human ELISA for B. procyonis works well for at least higher phylogeny NHP and that serologic evidence of infection is surprisingly common, correlating with what is known for exposure to this parasite in zoos.

SYSTEMIC AMYLOIDOSIS IN A POPULATION OF PRONGHORN ANTELOPE (ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA).

Thirteen pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) from a single captive herd at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium underwent complete or partial necropsies between 1997 and 2016. Ten of the 13 animals had histologic evidence of amyloidosis resulting in a 77% prevalence. Histologic and ultrastructural changes were characterized in an attempt to determine the underlying cause of the amyloid. Amyloid detection was performed through histologic examination of hemotoxylin and eosin and Congo red-stained microscopic slides for all 13 animals. Transmission electron microscopy and mass spectrometry was performed on renal tissue from two animals. Pedigree analysis and retrospective investigation into the clinical histories was performed. Histologically, 9/10 animals had amyloid present in the kidneys, 8/10 in the liver, 9/10 in the spleen, 4/10 in the gastrointestinal tract, 3/10 in the adrenal glands, and 2/10 in the thyroid glands. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated glomerular deposits consistent with amyloid. Mass spectrometry performed on renal specimens from two animals revealed the presence of serum amyloid A. Eight of the 10 animals diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis had a clinical history of haemonchosis (elevated fecal strongyle count), 5/10 were diagnosed with pneumonia postmortem, and 7/10 had postmortem findings consistent with negative energy balance. Serum amyloid A, and ß and γ globulin levels were evaluated in four cases of amyloidosis, and all were within normal ranges for healthy domestic cattle. It was possible that the herd's amyloidosis was associated with a hereditary defect that could be exacerbated by chronic inflammation. However, there was no significant association between the mean degree of relatedness and presence of amyloidosis. In conclusion, systemic amyloidosis in this captive population of pronghorn is common. It is likely reactive and secondary to underlying chronic inflammation caused by haemonchosis and/or pneumonia.

SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY VALUES AND SELECT SEROLOGIC SCREENING OF BROWN HYENAS ( PARAHYAENA BRUNNEA) FROM THE NAMIB DESERT, NAMIBIA.

Blood from 30 free-ranging brown hyenas ( Parahyaena brunnea) was collected for biochemical analysis and select serologic screening in Namibia from 1997 to 2010. Age was found to have an influence on several biochemical parameters that may be related to growth, a developing immune system, and differences in diet. Seasonal differences in diet of coastal brown hyenas also had an overall significant effect on lipemia values, and differences in stress due to varying capture methods could be associated with an increase in glucose and creatinine kinase. Comparisons among hyena species from published data were inconclusive, as some samples may have been derived from captive populations and individuals. Sera were tested for antibodies against 18 pathogens. Antibodies were not detected for most pathogens, but the proportion of sera containing antibodies against canine adenovirus-1 (CAV-1) and canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2) was 65% and 84%, respectively. There was no effect of sex, age, year of sampling, or contact with domestic dogs, indicating that CAV-1 or CAV-2 may be enzootic. The prevalence of antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV) was 43%, and older brown hyenas were 6.9 times more likely to have been exposed to CDV, adjusting for year of sampling and degree of estimated contact with domestic dogs, suggesting epizootic outbreaks. This study is the first to present biochemical reference intervals for wild brown hyenas and provides an indication of disease exposure in this species.

Morbidity and mortality in infant mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei): A 46-year retrospective review.

Long-term studies of morbidity and mortality in free-ranging primates are scarce, but may have important implications for the conservation of extant populations. Infants comprise a particularly important age group, as variation in survival rates may have a strong influence on population dynamics. Since 1968, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP, Inc.) and government partners have conducted a comprehensive health monitoring and disease investigation program on mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In an effort to better understand diseases in this species, we reviewed reliable field reports (n = 37), gross post-mortem (n = 66), and histopathology (n = 53) reports for 103 infants (less than 3.5 years) mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif. Our aim was to conduct the first comprehensive analysis of causes of infant mortality and to correlate histological evidence with antemortem morbidity in infant mountain gorillas. Causes of morbidity and mortality were described, and compared by age, sex, and over time. Trauma was the most common cause of death in infants (56%), followed by respiratory infections and aspiration (13%). Gastrointestinal parasitism (33%), atypical lymphoid hyperplasia (suggestive of infectious disease) (31%), and hepatic capillariasis (25%) were the most significant causes of antemortem morbidity identified post-mortem. Identifying the causes of mortality and morbidity in infants of this critically endangered species will help to inform policy aimed at their protection and guide ante- and post-mortem health monitoring and clinical decision-making in the future.

Medication Safety: Simulation Education for New RNs Promises an Excellent Return on Investment.

High-fidelity simulation (HFS) education is a valuable tool for acquisition and maintenance of nursing competencies. Simulation education for new hospital nurses, who are most likely to make medication errors, is an appropriate and urgently needed application, in that the frequency and costs of inpatient medication errors are now a significant threat to both patient safety and operating budgets. Four factors, including baccalaureate preparation, that have converged to make the need for HFS education a cost-appropriate approach to the reduction of inpatient medication errors are reviewed. Most hospitals should be able to recover HFS investment costs within 12 months.

Tool use for food acquisition in a wild mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei).

On May 14, 2013, a wild, human-habituated, juvenile female mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda was observed utilizing a tool to acquire food. The young gorilla watched an adult male use his hand to collect ants from a hole in the ground, and then quickly withdrew his hand and move away from the hole, shaking his arm to presumably remove biting ants. The juvenile female engaged in similar behavior, withdrawing her hand covered in ants, and shaking her arm vigorously. She then selected a piece of wood approximately 20 cm long and 2 cm wide at one end, 1 cm wide at the other, and proceeded to insert the stick into the hole, withdraw the stick, and then lick ants off of the stick. In contrast to the sizeable body of literature on tool use in wild chimpanzees, this is the first report of tool use for food acquisition by a wild gorilla.

Coxiella burnetii serostatus in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) is associated with the presence of C. burnetii DNA in attached ticks in Laikipia County, Kenya.

AIMS: Q fever is a globally distributed, neglected zoonotic disease of conservation and public health importance, caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Coxiella burnetii normally causes subclinical infections in livestock, but may also cause reproductive pathology and spontaneous abortions in artiodactyl species. One such artiodactyl, the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), is an increasingly important livestock species in semi-arid landscapes. Ticks are naturally infected with C. burnetii worldwide and are frequently found on camels in Kenya. In this study, we assessed the relationship between dromedary camels' C. burnetii serostatus and whether the camels were carrying C. burnetii PCR-positive ticks in Kenya. We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between camel seropositivity and carrying C. burnetii PCR-positive ticks. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood was collected from camels (N = 233) from three herds, and serum was analysed using commercial ELISA antibody test kits. Ticks were collected (N = 4354), divided into pools of the same species from the same camel (N = 397) and tested for C. burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize seroprevalence by camel demographic and clinical variables. Univariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess relationships between serostatus (outcome) and tick PCR status, camel demographic variables, and camel clinical variables (predictors). Camel C. burnetii seroprevalence was 52%. Across tick pools, the prevalence of C. burnetii was 15% and Coxiella-like endosymbionts was 27%. Camel seropositivity was significantly associated with the presence of a C. burnetii PCR-positive tick pool (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.4-5.1; p = 0.0045), increasing age class, and increasing total solids. CONCLUSIONS: The role of ticks and camels in the epidemiology of Q fever warrants further research to better understand this zoonotic disease that has potential to cause illness and reproductive losses in humans, livestock, and wildlife.

Comparison of test performance of a conventional PCR and two field-friendly tests to detect Coxiella burnetii DNA in ticks using Bayesian latent class analysis.

Introduction: Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii)-infected livestock and wildlife have been epidemiologically linked to human Q fever outbreaks. Despite this growing zoonotic threat, knowledge of coxiellosis in wild animals remains limited, and studies to understand their epidemiologic role are needed. In C. burnetii-endemic areas, ticks have been reported to harbor and spread C. burnetii and may serve as indicators of risk of infection in wild animal habitats. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare molecular techniques for detecting C. burnetii DNA in ticks. Methods: In total, 169 ticks from wild animals and cattle in wildlife conservancies in northern Kenya were screened for C. burnetii DNA using a conventional PCR (cPCR) and two field-friendly techniques: Biomeme's C. burnetii qPCR Go-strips (Biomeme) and a new C. burnetii PCR high-resolution melt (PCR-HRM) analysis assay. Results were evaluated, in the absence of a gold standard test, using Bayesian latent class analysis (BLCA) to characterize the proportion of C. burnetii positive ticks and estimate sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the three tests. Results: The final BLCA model included main effects and estimated that PCR-HRM had the highest Se (86%; 95% credible interval: 56-99%), followed by the Biomeme (Se = 57%; 95% credible interval: 34-90%), with the estimated Se of the cPCR being the lowest (24%, 95% credible interval: 10-47%). Specificity estimates for all three assays ranged from 94 to 98%. Based on the model, an estimated 16% of ticks had C. burnetii DNA present. Discussion: These results reflect the endemicity of C. burnetii in northern Kenya and show the promise of the PCR-HRM assay for C. burnetii surveillance in ticks. Further studies using ticks and wild animal samples will enhance understanding of the epidemiological role of ticks in Q fever.

Data release: targeted systematic literature search for tick and tick-borne pathogen distributions in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa from 1901 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance data documenting tick and tick-borne disease (TBD) prevalence is needed to develop risk assessments and implement control strategies. Despite extensive research in Africa, there is no standardized, comprehensive review. METHODS: Here we tackle this knowledge gap, by producing a comprehensive review of research articles on ticks and TBD between 1901 and 2020 in Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Over 8356 English language articles were recovered. Our search strategy included 19 related MeSH terms. Articles were reviewed, and 331 met inclusion criteria. Articles containing mappable data were compiled into a standardized data schema, georeferenced, and uploaded to VectorMap. RESULTS: Tick and pathogen matrixes were created, providing information on vector distributions and tick-pathogen associations within the six selected African countries. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a digital, mappable database of current and historical tick and TBD distributions across six countries in Africa, which can inform specific risk modeling, determine surveillance gaps, and guide future surveillance priorities.

Projecting the impact of an ebola virus outbreak on endangered mountain gorillas.

Ebola virus is highly lethal for great apes. Estimated mortality rates up to 98% have reduced the global gorilla population by approximately one-third. As mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are endangered, with just over 1000 individuals remaining in the world, an outbreak could decimate the population. Simulation modeling was used to evaluate the potential impact of an Ebola virus outbreak on the mountain gorilla population of the Virunga Massif. Findings indicate that estimated contact rates among gorilla groups are high enough to allow rapid spread of Ebola, with less than 20% of the population projected to survive at 100 days post-infection of just one gorilla. Despite increasing survival with vaccination, no modeled vaccination strategy prevented widespread infection. However, the model projected that survival rates greater than 50% could be achieved by vaccinating at least half the habituated gorillas within 3 weeks of the first infectious individual.