Hong Kong issues health warning after 37-year-old man contracts deadly ‘herpes virus B’ from infected MONKEY and is fighting for his life in hospital

Health
By Liam
  • The man contracted the virus after being attacked by a monkey in a park
  • He was rushed to the emergency room and is now in ‘critical condition’
  • READ MORE: Inside the NIH virus lab in Montana – which has creepy ties to Wuhan

By Caitlin Tilley, health reporter for Dailymail.Com

Published: | Updated:

Hong Kong has issued a health warning after a man contracted a rare and deadly virus from a monkey bite.

The 37-year-old man reportedly contracted the virus after being attacked while visiting Kam Shan Country Park, also known as Monkey Hill, in late February.

The man was rushed to the emergency room due to fever and decreased consciousness. He is now in intensive care and is in ‘critical’ condition.

This is the first human infection of simian virus B, also known as herpes simiae virus, recorded in Hong Kong, but cases have previously been reported in the US, Canada, mainland China and Japan.

Hong Kong’s Center for Health Protection has warned the general public to avoid touching or feeding wild monkeys to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

The man is believed to have contracted the virus after being attacked by a monkey during his visit to Kam Shan Country Park, also known as Monkey Hill, in late February (stock image)

People can become infected if they are bitten or scratched by an infected macaque (stock photo) or if they have contact with the monkey's eyes, nose or mouth

People can become infected if they are bitten or scratched by an infected macaque (stock photo) or if they have contact with the monkey’s eyes, nose or mouth

According to AS, the man was otherwise in good health rack published on the Hong Kong government website, and was hospitalized on March 21.

On Wednesday, fluid from his spine tested positive for the B virus.

According to the CDC, the virus is extremely rare but can cause serious brain damage or death if not treated quickly.

The herpes B virus kills about 70 percent of patients if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

People can become infected if they are bitten or scratched by an infected macaque, or if they come into contact with the monkey’s eyes, nose or mouth.

Macaque monkeys are often infected with the virus, but do not show any symptoms.

Symptoms in humans start as typical flu-like symptoms, including fever and chills, muscle aches, fatigue and headache. Other symptoms may include nausea and shortness of breath.

People may develop small blisters in the wound or in the area that came into contact with the monkey.

Symptoms usually begin within a month of exposure to an infected monkey, but they can appear as early as three days.

There has been only one case of an infected person spreading the B virus to another person.

Herpes B virus is naturally found in the saliva, urine and feces of macaque monkeys, which are commonly found in Hong Kong, according to the CDC.

There is currently no vaccine against herpes B.

The virus belongs to the herpes family. More than 100 herpes viruses are known, but eight routinely infect only humans.

Since the discovery of the virus in 1932, there have been 50 documented human cases. About two-thirds of these took place in the US. Of the 50 cases, 21 were fatal.

The virus can be treated with antiviral medications. Sometimes antiretroviral therapy is used, depending on the condition of the macaques, how well and how quickly the wound was cleaned and the nature of the wound.

WHAT IS HERPES B?

The herpes B virus kills about 70 percent of patients unless treated immediately.

It is spread through macaques.

Macaques housed in primate facilities usually become infected in adulthood, but often show no symptoms.

Infection in humans is extremely rare.

Since the virus was discovered in 1932, there have been 50 documented human cases, 21 of which were fatal.

Most of these infections resulted from animal bites or scratches, or from contaminated material, such as a needle, entering broken skin.

However, a scientist died in 1997 after being splashed in the eyes with bodily fluid from an infected animal.

Veterinarians and laboratory workers are at greatest risk.

The herpes B virus can survive for hours on objects, especially if they are damp.

The onset of the disease usually occurs within a month of exposure to the virus, but can occur within three days.

Symptoms include:

  • Blisters at the site of exposure
  • Pain, numbness or itching at the site
  • Flu-like aches and pains
  • Fever and chills
  • Headache that lasts more than a day
  • Fatigue
  • Poor coordination
  • Shortness of breath

In fact, if the virus is not treated immediately and therefore enters the central nervous system, most patients die with treatment.

The most common cause of death is respiratory failure with paralysis, which starts in the lower extremities and moves upward.

The few who survive often have permanent brain damage.

If a person suspects he or she is infected, preventive antiviral therapy up to five times a day for two weeks may be needed.

Treatment depends on whether the central nervous system is thought to be affected, but usually includes antiviral drugs given intravenously twice daily.

There is no vaccine against herpes B.

Those who work with macaques should wear proper protective clothing, including gloves and a face shield.

The animals must also be treated humanely to reduce the risk of bites and scratches.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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