A survey of gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa of free ranging chimpanzees and humans living in Budongo Forest Reserve (BFR) was conducted in the years 2002/2003 by examination of feacal samples using floatation, sedimentation and immunofluorescent antiboby techniques. Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Microsporidia were found in feacal samples of known free ranging chimpanzees and humans in BFR. In addition, both chimpanzees and humans were infected with the following helmiths: Ascaris, Enterobius, hookworm, Strongyloides and Trichuris. Taenia tapeworm and the fluke Echinostoma were only found in humans. The occurrence of potential zoonotic parasites both in chimpanzees and in humans living in close proximity suggests the possibility of cross-transmission of these parasites. This presents a public health challenge given the zoonotic potential of some of these parasites and potential risks of increased mortality in the already endangered chimpanzees from cross transmission.
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