Monkeypox is a viral disease that has long been a mystery when it comes to pinpointing its reservoir hosts – the animals that carry and spread the virus without showing symptoms. Recent research by an international team of scientists has shed light on a potential host for the virus: the fire-footed rope squirrel (Funisciurus pyrropus), a rodent found in West and Central Africa.
The term ‘monkeypox’ originated from the virus being discovered in laboratory monkeys in 1958, but suspicions have always lingered about rodents and other small mammals in Africa being the true reservoir hosts. Recent studies have shown that African outbreaks of monkeypox have been fueled by multiple transmission events from animals to humans.
Identifying the reservoir hosts of the virus is crucial in breaking the cycle of transmission. By understanding the sources of the virus, scientists can work with local communities to develop strategies to prevent infection, such as safe handling practices when dealing with wild animal meat.
While the identification of the fire-footed rope squirrel as a potential reservoir host is a significant breakthrough, some experts remain cautious. They acknowledge the exceptional detective work involved in the study but are not entirely convinced that the squirrel definitively serves as a reservoir for monkeypox.
The research, which was posted as a preprint on the Research Square server, highlights the importance of long-term wildlife surveillance in understanding the origins of disease outbreaks. By closely monitoring populations of animals in their natural habitats, researchers were able to pinpoint the source of a recent monkeypox outbreak in a group of sooty mangabeys in Côte d’Ivoire.
The outbreak in the mangabeys was traced back to a fire-footed rope squirrel that had been consumed by one of the primates. This discovery marks the first evidence of cross-species transmission of the virus, although further research is needed to confirm if the squirrel is indeed a reservoir host or simply a susceptible species that occasionally contracts and transmits the virus.
Moving forward, researchers plan to investigate other potential reservoir hosts for monkeypox and study how these animals interact with humans in their forest habitats. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in preventing future outbreaks of the disease, especially in regions where consuming wild animals is common practice.
The acceleration of monkeypox emergence in humans in recent years may be influenced by various factors, including cultural traditions, economic demand, and waning immunity due to the discontinuation of smallpox vaccination in 1980. By continuing to study the virus and its potential reservoir hosts, scientists hope to develop effective strategies for controlling and preventing monkeypox outbreaks in the future.
