The Ebola virus currently poses the greatest threat to the survival of great apes, conservationist have warned,after estimated third of the world's gorillas and chimpanzees since 1990s.
The unprecedented current Ebola epidemic in West Africa has killed some 8,641 people ,according to data from world health organization,while the first batch of GlaxoSmithKline's experimental Ebola vaccine was expected to arrive in Liberia soon.
Conservationist have suggested vaccination could also prove helpful in tackling the threat the virus poses to our closet cousins. Writing for the conversation, Meera Inglis , a conservation policy PHD student at the University of Sheffield ,said : "At this moment in time, Ebola is the single greatest threat to the survival of gorillas and chimpanzees".
She goes on to suggest while vaccination could help us as " Short-term strategy" to tackle the virus in apes, a long-term strategy could focus on restoring forest habitat, " as largest forested areas would reduce the chances of infected animals coming into contact with one another".
A report written by Ria Ghaifir the Jane Goodall institute of Canada suggests "an estimated that one third of the world's gorillas and chimpanzees are killed by this disease". Ghai writes : " Outbreaks of Ebola are insufficient,but many wildlife populations are unmonitored ".
