Simian Foamy Virus

Mayabird · Post by **Mayabird** » 2004-03-21 12:32am

I've been reading recently about Simian Foamy Virus (SFV) that some scientists say may soon jump the species barrier from primates to humans because of the bushmeat trade. There's research that says that HIV might have jumped to humans from hunting, butchering, and eating apes carrying SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus) sparking the current pandemic. The recent avian flu (as well as studies suggesting that the 1918 Spanish flu was a mutant avian flu) has also increased worries that new deadly diseases could jump from another species to us.

A couple links:

African bushmeat could trigger another AIDS-style epidemic - Yahoo

Primate virus spreads to humans - BBC

Thoughts? Comments?

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2004-03-21 12:44am

Only my usual comment on such things.

We're boned. Our own stupidity will catch up with us sooner or later.

AV, it's time for a few pages on the subject.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2004-03-21 01:22am

I hate those bushmeat traders so much. As if wiping out another endangered species isn't enough, they threaten their own families, and the lives of everyone on the globe by shooting chimps other primates. They even get into shooting conflicts with rangers and lawmen, often killing those who try and stop them or protect endangered animals just so they can make a quick buck.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2004-03-21 02:05am

What does SIV do?

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2004-03-21 02:06am

i mean SFV

Mayabird · Post by **Mayabird** » 2004-03-21 02:24am

As far as I can tell from a few minutes of Googling, SFV doesn't do anything in any primate species that it has been found in. The virus is named for its actual appearance, not for any symptoms it causes. At the same time, though, you have to think: SIV doesn't harm or sicken any of the species infected with it, but when it mutated into HIV it became deadly.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-03-21 06:43pm

Simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) are what we believe to be the precursors to modern HIV-1 and HIV-2. The thought is that frequent contact with the primates in Africa either by eating the meat or other endeavours lead to the passing of the virus to humans whereby it adapted to our immune system and produced HIV. Patient Zero is often seen as a Canadian air steward called Gaetan Dugas, but this has since been disproved. I have heard reports of a Belgian who worked in Africa being the first to develop AIDS in the ‘50s, but I’ve never seen it confirmed. There are also reports that HIV may have originally started in the 17th century. But Google is right, it doesn't do anything like AIDS to primates, that's another reason we may never get a vaccine as we have no animal analogue to use.

The Spanish Flu, which killed a good chunk of 100 million people within months, was likely from Asia given the livestock there are supreme reservoirs for zoonoses, that is, pathogens that can affect humans and be carried in animals e.g. Plague. One of many diseases from animals to humans, it only follows a trend that we know only too well given H5N1 Influenza, HIV, SARS and CJD are all descended from animals and we find new diseases all the time. It doesn’t have to be silly people eating animal meat; it can be simple contact with a chicken carrying Avian Flu whilst you have the flu as well. One virion combines with another and a new strain emerges and you get the lethality of Avian Flu with the airborne ability of human flu.

This is why we have to be on the look out, because you never know when a new disease will emerge and wipe out half of humanity overnight without warning. It’s happened before, it will happen again.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-03-21 06:49pm

i predict 28-days later style hysteria as a result of this. . . .maybe.