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The Impact of Civil War on Forest Wildlife in West Africa: Mammals in Gola Forest, Sierra Leone J Eremy A
The impact of civil war on forest wildlife in West Africa: mammals in Gola Forest, Sierra Leone J eremy A. Lindsell,Erik K lop and A lhaji M. Siaka Abstract Human conflicts may sometimes benefit wildlife et al., 1996). However, the generality of this argument has by depopulating wilderness areas but there is evidence been challenged and recent evidence, especially from forest- from Africa that the impacts tend to be negative. The based conflicts in Africa, suggests a negative impact from forested states of West Africa have experienced much over-harvesting of wildlife, degradation of habitats and recent human conflict but there have been no assessments pollution, and the prevention of a range of necessary of impacts on the wildlife. We conducted surveys of conservation and protection activities (Dudley et al., mammals in the 710-km2 Gola Forest reserves to assess 2002; McNeely, 2003). Understanding the effects of conflict the impact of the 1991–2001 civil war in Sierra Leone. Gola on wildlife has important implications for the way conser- is the most important remaining tract of lowland forest in vation agencies work in conflict areas (Plumptre et al., the country and a key site for the conservation of the 2000; Hanson et al., 2009), especially how effectively they highly threatened forests of the Upper Guinea region. We can respond at the cessation of hostilities (Draulans & Van found that Gola has survived well despite being in the Krunkelsven, 2002; McNeely, 2003) because the period of heart of the area occupied by the rebels. We recorded 44 time immediately after war is often crucial (Dudley et al., species of larger mammal, including 18 threatened, near- 2002). -
Inger Damon M.D., Ph.D
Status of human monkeypox, epidemiology and research…comparisons with smallpox… considerations for emerging orthopoxviruses Inger Damon M.D., Ph.D. Chief, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch SEC2010 August 24, 2010 National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology Timeline • First observed in captive primate colonies – 8 outbreaks1958-1968 – isolated and characterized from primate tissues – 1 outbreak in exposed zoo animals (anteater and primates) – No transmission to humans • First human disease 1970 – surveillance activities of smallpox eradication program – W. Africa (rare cases, no secondary human to human transmission) – Zaire (DRC) • Active surveillance Zaire (DRC) 1981-1986 (338 cases) – Majority cases virologically confirmed – Human to human transmission • Ongoing outbreaks reported from DRC 1996-present – Largely retrospective analyses – Minority cases virologically confirmed, use orthopoxvirus serostatus determination – Over 500 cases reported • First human disease reported outside of Africa, in the U.S. 2003 • Enhanced surveillance DRC RoC Monkeypox: the virus • Species of Orthopoxvirus genus -Member of the Poxvirus family – Other Orthopoxviruses that infect humans – zoonotic except variola • Cowpox, vaccinia, variola • Ectromelia (mousepox), taterapox (gerbilpox) not known to infect humans – Large (~200 kb) complex double stranded DNA virus, cytoplasmic life cycle, brick shaped morphology – 95% nucleotide identity amongst species – 93% conservation of AA of antigens on -
2060048 Editie 135 Supplement.Book
Belg. J. Zool., 135 (supplement) : 11-15 December 2005 Importance of rodents as a human food source in Benin A.E. Assogbadjo, J.T.C. Codjia, B. Sinsin, M.R.M. Ekue and G.A. Mensah Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 05 BP 1752 Cotonou (Akpakpa-Centre), Benin Corresponding author : A.E. Assogbadjo, e-mail : [email protected] ABSTRACT. Rodents are an important food source for villagers near the Lama forest reserve, located in the south of Benin between 6°55 - 7°00N and 2°04 - 2°12 E. This study was designed to look at the consumption of rodents as a food source combined with a survey of rodents sold in markets. Data was collected on : rodents species consumed, frequencies of consumption and food preferences. Some animals were captured in order to confirm the species. Rodents were a major part of diet included 10 species : grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), giant rats (Criceto- mys gambianus), Gambian Sun-squirrel (Heliosciurus gambianus), crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata), ground squirrel (Xerus erythropus), grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus), slender gerbil (Taterillus gracilis), Kempi’s gerbil (Tatera kempii), multimammate rats (Mastomys spp.) and grass mouse (Lemniscomys striatus venustus). On aver- age, young people and children consumed rodents 6 times per person per month. The preferences of local popula- tions were grasscutter and giant rats which were sold in local markets at relatively high prices US$8-10 and US$2-4 respectively. It is important to conduct further studies to look at the impact of this hunting on the rodent populations and to ensure sustainable harvesting. -
February 2007 2
GHANA 16 th February - 3rd March 2007 Red-throated Bee-eater by Matthew Mattiessen Trip Report compiled by Tour Leader Keith Valentine Top 10 Birds of the Tour as voted by participants: 1. Black Bee-eater 2. Standard-winged Nightjar 3. Northern Carmine Bee-eater 4. Blue-headed Bee-eater 5. African Piculet 6. Great Blue Turaco 7. Little Bee-eater 8. African Blue Flycatcher 9. Chocolate-backed Kingfisher 10. Beautiful Sunbird RBT Ghana Trip Report February 2007 2 Tour Summary This classic tour combining the best rainforest sites, national parks and seldom explored northern regions gave us an incredible overview of the excellent birding that Ghana has to offer. This trip was highly successful, we located nearly 400 species of birds including many of the Upper Guinea endemics and West Africa specialties, and together with a great group of people, we enjoyed a brilliant African birding adventure. After spending a night in Accra our first morning birding was taken at the nearby Shai Hills, a conservancy that is used mainly for scientific studies into all aspects of wildlife. These woodland and grassland habitats were productive and we easily got to grips with a number of widespread species as well as a few specials that included the noisy Stone Partridge, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Senegal Parrot, Guinea Turaco, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Vieillot’s and Double- toothed Barbet, Gray Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Melodious Warbler, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Blackcap Babbler, Yellow-billed Shrike, Common Gonolek, White Helmetshrike and Piapiac. Towards midday we made our way to the Volta River where our main target, the White-throated Blue Swallow showed well. -
Assessing Monkeypox Virus Prevalence in Small Mammals at the Human–Animal Interface in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
viruses Article Assessing Monkeypox Virus Prevalence in Small Mammals at the Human–Animal Interface in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Jeffrey B. Doty 1,*, Jean M. Malekani 2, Lem’s N. Kalemba 2, William T. Stanley 3, Benjamin P. Monroe 1, Yoshinori U. Nakazawa 1, Matthew R. Mauldin 1 ID , Trésor L. Bakambana 2, Tobit Liyandja Dja Liyandja 2, Zachary H. Braden 1, Ryan M. Wallace 1, Divin V. Malekani 2, Andrea M. McCollum 1, Nadia Gallardo-Romero 1, Ashley Kondas 1, A. Townsend Peterson 4 ID , Jorge E. Osorio 5, Tonie E. Rocke 6, Kevin L. Karem 1, Ginny L. Emerson 1 and Darin S. Carroll 1 1 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; [email protected] (B.P.M.); [email protected] (Y.U.N.); [email protected] (M.R.M.); [email protected] (Z.H.B.); [email protected] (R.M.W.); [email protected] (A.M.M.); [email protected] (N.G.-R.); [email protected] (A.K.); [email protected] (K.L.K.); [email protected] (G.L.E.); [email protected] (D.S.C.) 2 University of Kinshasa, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 218 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo; [email protected] (J.M.M.); [email protected] (L.N.K.); [email protected] (T.L.B.); [email protected] (T.L.D.L.); [email protected] (D.V.M.) 3 Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605, USA; wstanley@fieldmuseum.org 4 Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; [email protected] 5 University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA; [email protected] 6 U.S. -
Senegal, 2017
By Morten Heegaard, Stig Jensen and Jon Lehmberg. For the last decade or so Senegal has been high on our list of “countries-to-visit”, the main reason for that being the impressive number of birds of prey gathering at Ile de Kousmar during the winter months. Thousands of Lesser Kestrels and African Scissor-tailed Kites can be counted at their night roost here, and it’s an amazing spectacle seeing the birds flying in to the island late in the afternoon. However, the raptors were by no means the only avian highlight of our trip, and a much more detailed report covering those can be found on Cloudbirders: https://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/show/20842/31115 While Senegal is a very interesting destination for birdwatchers, the number of mammals doesn’t really compare well to what you can see in many East and South African countries. In much of West Africa heavy hunting pressure and a loss of habitat has wiped out populations of many of the big mammals, though some can still be found in a few places. South-east Senegal is one such place where mega-fauna like Leopards, Lions, Wild Dogs and Elephants probably still hold on with the skin of their teeth, and Niokolo-Koba NP is therefore an extremely important area if the westernmost population of a number of species are to be saved. There’s absolutely no doubt that this national park is the prime mammal watching area in Senegal. Further south around Dindefelo there’s even still a chance of seeing Chimpanzees, and immediately to the East, the little-known reserve RNC Boundou is probably also still home to some of the big mammals, and certainly to Serval which was seen here recently. -
Environmental'profile Of, GUINEA Prepared by the Arid Lands Information Center Office of Arid Lands Studies University Of
DRAFT i Environmental'Profile of, GUINEA Prepared by the Arid Lands Information Center Office of Arid Lands Studies University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85721 Department of State Purchase Order No. 1021-210575, for U.S. Man and the Biosphere Secretariat' Department of State Washington, D.C. December 1983 - Robert G.:Varady, Compiler -, THE.UNrrED STATES NATIO C III F MAN AN ITHE BIOSPH.RE Department of State, ZO/UCS WASHINGTON. C C. 20520 An Introductory Note on Draft Environmental Profiles: The attached draft environmental report has been prepared under a contract between the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), Office of Forestry, Environment, and Natural Resources (ST/FNR) and the U.S. Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program. It is a preliminary review of information available in the United States on the status of the environment and the natural resources of the identified country and is one of a series of similar studies on countries which receive U.S. bilateral assistance. This report is the first step in a process to develop better information for the AID Mission, for host country officials, and others on the environmental situation in specific countries and begins to identify the most critical areas of concern. A more comprehensive study may be undertaken in each country by Regional Bureaus and/or AID Missions. These would involve local scientists in a more detailed examination of the actual situations as well as a better definition of issues, problems and priorities. Such "Phase II" studies would provide substance for the Agency's Country Development Strategy Statements as well as justifications for program initiatives in the areas of environment and natural resources. -
Current Conservation Status of Large Mammals in Sime Darby Oil Palm Concession in Liberia
G.J.B.A.H.S.,Vol.2(3):93-102 (July – September, 2013) ISSN: 2319 – 5584 CURRENT CONSERVATION STATUS OF LARGE MAMMALS IN SIME DARBY OIL PALM CONCESSION IN LIBERIA Jean-Claude Koffi BENE1, Eloi Anderson BITTY2, Kouakou Hilaire BOHOUSSOU3, Michael ABEDI- LARTEY4, Joel GAMYS5 & Prince A. J. SORIBAH6 1UFR Environnement, Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé; BP 150 Daloa. 2Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire ; 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01. 3Laboratoire de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody; 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22. 4University of Konstanz, Schlossallee 2, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany. 5Frend of Ecosystems and Environment-Liberia. 6CARE Building, Congo Town, Monrovia. Abstract The forest ecosystem of Liberia is part from the Upper Guinea Eco-region, and harbors an exceptional biodiversity in a rich mosaic of habitats serving as refuge for numerous endemic species. Unfortunately, many of these forests have been lost rapidly over the past decades, and the remaining are under various forms of anthropogenic pressure, subsistence farming, and large-scale industrial agriculture and mining. As part of a broader survey to generate information for conservation management strategies in the Gross Concession Area in preparation for its oil palm and rubber plantations in western Liberia, Sime Darby (Liberia) Inc., commissioned surveys on large mammals species in 2011. Through a combination of hunter interviews and foot surveys, we documented evidence of 46 and 32, respectively, of large mammals in the area. Fourteen of the confirmed species are fully protected at national level and three are partially protected. At the international level, 15 species are of conservation concern, including Zebra and Jentink’s duiker, Diana monkey, Sooty mangabey, Olive colobus, Elephant and Leopard. -
(Funisciurus Anerythrus) and Gambian
Animal Research International (2020) 17(2): 3747 – 3760 3747 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL MORPHOMETRY OF THOMAS’S ROPE SQUIRREL ( FUNISCIURUS ANERYTHRUS ) AND GAMBIAN SUN SQUIRREL ( HELIOSCIURUS GAMBIANUS ) IN IBADAN, NIGERIA 1 COKER, Oluwakayode Michael , 2 JUBRIL, Afusat Jagun , 1 ISONG, Otobong Mfon and 1 OMONONA, Abosede Olay emi 1 Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria . 2 Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria . Corresponding Author: Coker, O. M. Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management , University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: [email protected] Phone: +234 805 415 0061 Received May 15, 2020; Revised June 13, 2020; Accepted July 1 8 , 2020 ABSTRACT Currently, no information exists regarding internal and external morphometrics and their correlations in Funisciurus anerythrus and Heliosciurus gambianus . Therefore, this study examined the relationships among the internal and external morphometrics of the two species in University of I badan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Samples of adult F. anerythrus (n = 20) and H. gambianus (n = 13) were trapped from the wild at various locations within the campus. Live weights (LW), external measurements and weights of internal organs were taken. Comparisons wit hin and between both species were carried out using T - tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient at p<0.05. H. gambianus was significantly bigger than F. anerythrus for all the measured parameters, except in ear and snout lengths. Male F. anerythrus was s ignificantly bigger than female in LW, body length (BL) and shoulder to tail length (STL) while, female H. gambianus was significantly bigger than male in trunk circumference (TC). In male F. -
List of Taxa for Which MIL Has Images
LIST OF 27 ORDERS, 163 FAMILIES, 887 GENERA, AND 2064 SPECIES IN MAMMAL IMAGES LIBRARY 31 JULY 2021 AFROSORICIDA (9 genera, 12 species) CHRYSOCHLORIDAE - golden moles 1. Amblysomus hottentotus - Hottentot Golden Mole 2. Chrysospalax villosus - Rough-haired Golden Mole 3. Eremitalpa granti - Grant’s Golden Mole TENRECIDAE - tenrecs 1. Echinops telfairi - Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec 2. Hemicentetes semispinosus - Lowland Streaked Tenrec 3. Microgale cf. longicaudata - Lesser Long-tailed Shrew Tenrec 4. Microgale cowani - Cowan’s Shrew Tenrec 5. Microgale mergulus - Web-footed Tenrec 6. Nesogale cf. talazaci - Talazac’s Shrew Tenrec 7. Nesogale dobsoni - Dobson’s Shrew Tenrec 8. Setifer setosus - Greater Hedgehog Tenrec 9. Tenrec ecaudatus - Tailless Tenrec ARTIODACTYLA (127 genera, 308 species) ANTILOCAPRIDAE - pronghorns Antilocapra americana - Pronghorn BALAENIDAE - bowheads and right whales 1. Balaena mysticetus – Bowhead Whale 2. Eubalaena australis - Southern Right Whale 3. Eubalaena glacialis – North Atlantic Right Whale 4. Eubalaena japonica - North Pacific Right Whale BALAENOPTERIDAE -rorqual whales 1. Balaenoptera acutorostrata – Common Minke Whale 2. Balaenoptera borealis - Sei Whale 3. Balaenoptera brydei – Bryde’s Whale 4. Balaenoptera musculus - Blue Whale 5. Balaenoptera physalus - Fin Whale 6. Balaenoptera ricei - Rice’s Whale 7. Eschrichtius robustus - Gray Whale 8. Megaptera novaeangliae - Humpback Whale BOVIDAE (54 genera) - cattle, sheep, goats, and antelopes 1. Addax nasomaculatus - Addax 2. Aepyceros melampus - Common Impala 3. Aepyceros petersi - Black-faced Impala 4. Alcelaphus caama - Red Hartebeest 5. Alcelaphus cokii - Kongoni (Coke’s Hartebeest) 6. Alcelaphus lelwel - Lelwel Hartebeest 7. Alcelaphus swaynei - Swayne’s Hartebeest 8. Ammelaphus australis - Southern Lesser Kudu 9. Ammelaphus imberbis - Northern Lesser Kudu 10. Ammodorcas clarkei - Dibatag 11. Ammotragus lervia - Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) 12. -
Sierra Leone - Tiwai Island: 30/10-3/11 2016
Sierra Leone - Tiwai Island: 30/10-3/11 2016 Having wanted to visit Tiwai Island ever since watching a BBC documentary many years ago, I finally made last week. It did not disappoint. Plenty of wildlife and having the island to myself with some wonderful local people was a real treat. I can recommend it hands down. To get to Tiwai you need a car and I arranged an inexpensive 4*4 with VSL Travel and my contact person was Geoffrey Awoonor-Renner - [email protected]. He also made a reservation for Tiwai Island. I tried to make a booking through the Tiwai Island organization, but they only answered sporadically to my emails ([email protected]). Everything worked out very well with VSL and they gave me a new 4*4 with an excellent driver, Buck. The trip from Freetown takes about 6 hours with the last 2 hours on a very rough dirt road. In the rainy season this road would be very difficult to master I can imagine. The camp The community camp on Tiwai is quite comfortable with big tents, good mattresses (maybe a bit on the soft side), european toilets, nice showers and excellent food. They do not sell any water or anything else on the island so you need bring everything with you. However, they can go to the nearest town and get some liquid supplies (water and stronger stuff) if needed for a very nominal sum. It is in general a very inexpensive place to visit. The season End of October is at the end of the rainy season and it still rained a bit, but only in the evenings and/or nights, which meant I did not do much spotlighting, but the days were very nice (bar the humidity). -
Feeding Habits and Comparative Feeding Rates of Three Southern African Arboreal Squirrels S
Feeding habits and comparative feeding rates of three southern African arboreal squirrels s. Viljoen Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria Food utilization by three arboreal squirrels was studied with Four species of indigenous arboreal squirrels occur in southern regard to feeding habits and efficiency, food preferences and Africa: the tree squirrel, Paraxerus cepapi; the red squirrel, chemical analyses of the food. Food selected in the field by the P. palliatus; the striped tree squirrel, Funisciurus congicus and two forest subspecies the Ngoye red squirrel Paraxerus pslliatus the sun squirrel, In this paper only omatus and the Tonga red squirrel, P. p. tongensis are listed. Heliosciurus rufobrachium. Measurements of lengths of the different parts of their intestinal the nominate fonn of the first-named and two subspecies of tracts indicate that the southern African arboreal squirrels are the second are considered. more insectivorous than tropical African squirrels. With regard to Arntmann (1975) listed 10 subspecies of P. cepapi from feeding efficiency, the tree squirrel P. cepapi cepspl, a savanna southern Africa, some of doubtful validity, and 11 subspecies species, is relatively more adept at handling small seeds and the of P. palliatus. The nominate P. c. cepapi was originally flesh of fruits, whereas the two forest subspecies mainly concen· trate on the endosperm of large fruits. Chemical analyses of fruits described from the Rustenburg district of the Transvaal and and seeds Indicate that the fat content is noticeably higher in has an average mass of 223 g (n = 69), and the Tonga red fruits and endosperm from forests and that the protein content of squirrel, P.