Dr. Jan reports on her routine health check with Susa group in Volcanoes National Park.

Wound on the top of Igisha’s right hand.Today I visited Susa group and we found them at Gasizi area.  I learned that morning that silverback Igisha had been caught in a snare on his right hand yesterday and he had removed it himself.  There is a laceration on the dorsal surface of his right hand that should heal well on its own.  He was using the hand for feeding and locomotion.  A patrol went out yesterday and recovered 7 more snares in the area.

Ruvumu with both babies. There was a report yesterday that one of the twins of female Ruvumu  (born on May 27) had nasal discharge and was breathing rapidly. We located Ruvumu easily and both babies were alert and responsive at first.  Ruvumu’s mammary glands were appropriately full and did not appear to be engorged. 

Sleepy female twin.One infant was very sleepy and finally fell asleep while we observed. The other was making noise on some respirations and appeared to have a stuffy nose, however that infant had no nasal discharge, while the contentedly sleeping infant had some dry crusts on the insides of her nostrils. 

Male twin.Trackers told me that it was the male infant who was making the most noise while breathing.  As we observed, however, this male infant managed to get into good nursing position and nursed without any respiratory sounds for several minutes.  It was very difficult to determine respiratory rate. Then Ruvumu moved away.

While observing the rest of the group we heard one cough and one sneeze but could not identify the individual.  We also observed Kuramba cough and sneeze, but his nose was clear and he was moving and feeding normally.  No other individuals were noted to have respiratory symptoms, although Kiki, Umwe, Intsinzi and Matsiko were not observed during the hour I had with the group.

Itigi before she showed us her chronic, non-healing wound.We also observed Igiti, the adult female with a chronic, non-healing wound on her abdomen that has been observed for at least 3 years.  She was grooming the area, as she frequently does.  She had a full belly and was bright, alert and responsive.  

Itigi’s chronic, non-healing wound.

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