Surveillance for Alouatta monkeys in the forests of Trinidad, 1988-1989

A continuous surveillance programme for the presence of the red howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) in the forests of Trinidad was initiated following an epizootic of yellow fever in these monkeys in 1978. This paper gives the result of the programme from 1986 to 1989.

Sylvatic yellow fever activity in Trinidad 1988-1989

Of a total of 18,068 mosquitoes (361 pools) collected in south-eastern Trinidad forests from December, 1988 to May, 1989, 47 species belonging to 14 genera were identified. Five yellow fever virus isolates were made from Haemagogus janthinomys and one from Sabethes chloropterus. All the other pools of mosquitoes examined were negative for the virus. The mosquito isolates were made in December and January. In addition, in late February and early March, two infected howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) were detected. Since March, despite continued surveillance, no yellow fever virus has been detected in mosquitoes or monkeys. There has been no reported human infection.