The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Nonhuman Primate Biosafety Zoonotic Disease Nonhuman primates can carry a variety of zoonotic diseases as detailed below.
Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted between species.
It is important to note that in many cases the transmission can go in both directions. Therefore, the use of protective clothing not only protects you, but also the animals. While prevention of disease is important, knowing how to handle exposures is also important. These procedures are listed under individual diseases. A further safety tool is a medical alert card that can be carried in your wallet indicating to health care workers that you work with nonhuman primates.