Risk factors for respiratory illness in a community of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii).

ABSTRACT: Respiratory illnesses have caused significant mortality in African great ape populations. While much effort has been given to identifying the responsible pathogens, little is known about the factors that influence disease transmission or individual susceptibility. In the Kanyawara community of wild chimpanzees, respiratory illness has been the leading cause of mortality over 31 years, contributing to 27% of deaths. Deaths were common in all age groups except juveniles. Over 22 years of health observations, respiratory signs were rare among infants and most common among older adults of both sexes. Respiratory signs were also common among males during the transition to adulthood (ages 10-20 years), particularly among those of low rank. Respiratory signs peaked conspicuously in March, a patte

SUBMITTER: Emery Thompson M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6170528 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature