ANIMALS AS RESERVOIRS OF VIRUSES

Question 1

Origins of HIV?

Answer 1

Originated from SIV in Chimpanzees.

Question 2

Reservoirs?

Answer 2

Animal species that harbour viruses that subsequently cause disease in humans. Reservoir species suffer little harm from viruses - not adapted to transfer pathogen from to another species.
Transfer = chance event.

Question 3

(Fruit Bats) Bats as reservoirs -

Answer 3

Viruses that cause Marburg, SARS, Nipah.

Initial reservoir for rabies - dogs- humans

Question 4

Why are bats suitable reservoirs?

Answer 4

Mammals with similar physiology to humans.
Social animals - in close contact with other bats - high proportion of bats are carriers.
Fly large ranges - in contact with humans considerable distance away from base.

Question 5

Factor into transfer of viruses from bats to humans?

Answer 5

Encroachment of humans into bat habitats as consequence of urbanisation/ clearing of woodland for housing etc.