World Health Organization estimates that 60% of emerging infectious diseases are of zoonotic origin, causing significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Due to the genetic similarities of the human and non-human primate (NHP) genomes, most NHP infectious diseases are transmissible to humans, lending them as the optimal animal model for developing infectious disease therapeutics and vaccines. In research settings, NHPs and personnel must screen for transmissible diseases. Additionally, personnel require specialized training for adequate animal handling and the usage of personal protective equipment as a preventative measure. This lecture will review the pathology of non-human primates' most common viral, bacteria, and parasitic zoonotic diseases.
