Viruses that cause mild sniffles in humans are devastating populations of chimpanzees and gorillas. In some ape communities, it’s a bigger killer than habitat loss or poaching

Viruses that cause mild sniffles in humans are devastating populations of chimpanzees and gorillas. In some ape communities, it’s a bigger killer than habitat loss or poaching

There was something wrong with the chimpanzees. For weeks, a community of 205 animals in Uganda’s Kibale national park had been coughing, sneezing and looking generally miserable. But no one could say for sure what ailed them, even as the animals began to die.

Necropsies can help to identify a cause of death, but normally, the bodies of chimps are found long after decomposition has set in, if at all. So when Tony Goldberg, a US wildlife epidemiologist visiting Kibale, got word that an adult female named Stella had been found freshly dead, he knew this was a rare opportunity to look for an answer.

    • Flying Squid
      2•1 month ago

      Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold. In the United States, children have an average of two rhinovirus infections each year, and adults have an average of one. Most rhinovirus infections are mild, but they can cause severe illness, especially in people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or other underlying medical conditions. Rhinoviruses are commonly detected in children hospitalized for respiratory illness.

      https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/rhinoviruses-common-cold.html

        • Flying Squid
          -2•1 month ago

          Okay? Does that change the fact that rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold?

          Because that says 20% are caused by coronaviruses.

          • @RainfallSonata
            4•1 month ago

            Jesus dude, Im trying so hard not to block you, cause you occasionally post some decent content. But every time you’re contradicted you just go off. You’re the one who said the common cold is not a coronavirus, and you’re wrong. Just stop.

            • Flying Squid
              -2•1 month ago

              Yes, and someone else already showed me that I was incorrect on that, so I pasted something which was more accurate but still showed I was in the right ballpark.

              I’m not sure why you’re taking it so personally.

              Edit: Also, if you want to block me, go ahead. I don’t have some sort of special entitlement where anyone is forced to pay attention to me that isn’t my daughter.