Fatal Monkeypox in Wild-Living Sooty Mangabey, Côte d’Ivoire, 2012

Researchers isolated and sequenced the monkeypox virus from a dead sooty mangabey in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, revealing its close genetic relationship to Western African monkeypox strains. The study highlights the potential for zoonotic transmission of this virus, which can be fatal in wild primates. By analyzing clinical specimens and whole-genome sequencing, the team confirmed the pathogen's identity and phylogenetic links, providing critical insights into the virus's circulation in West African wildlife. This finding underscores the need for further surveillance in protected areas like Taï National Park to understand and mitigate risks of monkeypox spillover.

Radonić, A., Metzger, S., Dabrowski, P. W., Couacy-Hymann, E., Schuenadel, L., Kurth, A., Mätz-Rensing, K., Boesch, C., Leendertz, F. H., & Nitsche, A. (2014). Fatal Monkeypox in Wild-Living Sooty Mangabey, Côte d’Ivoire, 2012. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 20(6), 1009–1011. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2006.131329