NEWS – A 37-year-old man wounded by a wild monkey in Hong Kong is in intensive care suffering from infection with B virus.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Nature of the Virus:
  • B virus is enzootic in macaques of the genus Macaca and is the only identified old-world-monkey herpesvirus.
  • While asymptomatic in macaques, it can cause severe neurological complications, such as encephalitis.
• Transmission:
  • In humans, B virus is transmitted through bites, scratches, or contact with infected bodily fluids from macaque monkeys.
  • Human-to-human transmission of this virus is rare, with only one recorded case so far.
• Symptoms in Humans:
  • B virus infections in humans are rare but can be fatal, presenting symptoms ranging from fever and headache to neurological dysfunction and even death.
  • Common symptoms include fever, headache, myalgia, and localized neurologic symptoms near the wound site.
  • Signs of infection typically appear within two to 30 days, often accompanied by blisters around the contact point or wound, resembling a flu-like illness.
  • The virus can spread to lymph nodes and the nervous system, leading to agitation, confusion, double vision, coordination issues, muscle weakness, and hiccups if inflammation affects the brain stem.
• Treatment:
  • Currently, there are no vaccines available to protect humans against B virus infection.
  • Treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms and complications, with severe cases requiring intensive care and supportive measures.