Ebola 'kills over 5,000 gorillas' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

More than 5,000 gorillas may have died in recent outbreaks of the Ebola virus in central Africa, a study says.

Scientists warn that, coupled with the commercial hunting of gorillas, it may be enough to push them to extinction.

The study, published in the US journal Science, looked at gorilla colonies in Republic of Congo and Gabon. Ebola is also blamed for many chimpanzee deaths.

One of the most virulent viruses known, Ebola has killed more than 1,000 people since it was first recorded in 1976.

Ebola causes viral haemorrhagic fever - massive internal and external bleeding - which can kill up to 90% of those infected.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6220122.stm

[CoffeeCat]

1. With so many gorillas dying of Ebola....

...I'm surprised that more human beings haven't contracted it.

I see that many chimps have died from it. Why couldn't this
disease ravage the one "chimp" who really deserves to bleed
from his nostrils?

(ooops. did I say that out loud?)

[donsu]

2. a tragedy

nt