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Who transmits yellow fever is the mosquito. Monkeys act as "guardian angels" for humans in relation to yellow fever

The yellow fever outbreak poses a serious threat to primates in the Atlantic Forest, species that are even threatened with extinction. The Ministry of the Environment (MMA) issued an alert to society to reinforce the protection of monkeys and avoid abuse and violence caused by human action in areas where there are cases of the disease. The Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) makes the Linha Verde service available (telephone 0800-61-8080 (toll free) and [email protected]) for the population to report aggressions to animals.

“It is important that the population is fully aware that monkeys are not responsible for the existence of the virus nor for its transmission to humans. They need to be protected. Furthermore, violence against animals is an environmental crime”, emphasizes the MMA's Director of Conservation and Species Management, Ugo Vercillo. The wild yellow fever virus is transmitted by mosquitoes (genus Haemagogus and Sabethes).

Situation

In a meeting with members of the scientific community held in early 2017, representatives of the MMA and the Ministry of Health discussed the transmission of the yellow fever virus in primates. Researchers have expressed concern about the situation of violence against monkeys, especially in rural areas. They allege reports of attacks in the State of São Paulo and other regions of the country and reported that "misinformation is leading people to kill monkeys to supposedly protect themselves from the disease".

It is important to clarify society about the vectors of disease transmission and prevent misinformation from causing violence and the killing of monkeys, as in 2008 and 2009, when monkeys were attacked and killed in Goiás and Rio Grande do Sul by residents who mistakenly believed that the animals transmitted yellow fever.

“Primates act as true guardian angels of human beings, because when these animals die on an abnormal scale as a result of yellow fever, as has been happening in certain regions of the Atlantic Forest, this is an indication of the presence of the virus. This information can support government actions”, says Danilo Simonni Teixeira, president of the Brazilian Society of Primatology.

According to the expert, because they live in the interior of the forest, monkeys are usually the first to be infected and, therefore, they are called sentinel animals. In this way, they end up playing an important role, as they signal the circulation of the yellow fever virus and this allows health authorities to intensify vaccination, protecting people who live in or visit regions where there are yellow fever outbreaks.

Threat

“The picture is very worrying, since a significant part of the primates in the Atlantic Forest is under threat of extinction. The death of these animals brings a huge environmental imbalance, and this cannot be something caused by human action”, says Ugo Vercillo. In the Atlantic Forest biome, where yellow fever strikes, among the primates threatened with extinction are the howler monkeys and the crested capuchin monkey, in addition to the southern and northern muriqui.

Oversight

According to environmental legislation, killing or mistreating animals is a crime, the penalty of which can reach a year in detention, in addition to the imposition of a fine. According to Ibama, the population must report cases of violence against animals of the Brazilian fauna through the Linha Verde service. Complaints are investigated by the competent bodies.

Service

• Green Line: for environmental crime reports
• Telephone: 0800-61-8080 (toll free)
• E-mail:[email protected]

Call 136 to inform health authorities about the occurrence of dead animals or suspected yellow fever.