Reemergence of Reston ebolavirus in Cynomolgus Monkeys, the Philippines, 2015

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Jul;24(7):1285-1291. doi: 10.3201/eid2407.171234.

Abstract

In August 2015, a nonhuman primate facility south of Manila, the Philippines, noted unusual deaths of 6 cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), characterized by generalized rashes, inappetence, or sudden death. We identified Reston ebolavirus (RESTV) infection in monkeys by using serologic and molecular assays. We isolated viruses in tissues from infected monkeys and determined viral genome sequences. RESTV found in the 2015 outbreak is genetically closer to 1 of the 4 RESTVs that caused the 2008 outbreak among swine. Eight macaques, including 2 also infected with RESTV, tested positive for measles. Concurrently, the measles virus was circulating throughout the Philippines, indicating that the infection of the macaques may be a reverse zoonosis. Improved biosecurity measures will minimize the public health risk, as well as limit the introduction of disease and vectors.

Keywords: Reston Ebolavirus; coinfection; macaques; measles virus; nonhuman primates; the Philippines; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / history
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / virology*
  • Ebolavirus* / classification
  • Ebolavirus* / genetics
  • Genome, Viral
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / veterinary*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Macaca fascicularis / virology
  • Monkey Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Monkey Diseases / history
  • Monkey Diseases / virology*
  • Philippines / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny