China reports first human death from Monkey B Virus. All you need to know
China has reported its first human infection with Monkey B Virus (BV) and subsequent death. A Beijing-based veterinary surgeon was infected with the virus after he dissected two dead monkeys in early March, according to China CDC Weekly.
The 53-year-old veterinarian started experiencing nausea and vomiting and a month later, fever and neurological symptoms followed. He visited several hospitals but eventually died on May 27, China CDC Weekly revealed Saturday.
Around mid-April, researchers collected cerebrospinal fluid from the patient for next-generation sequencing and the readings suggested possible alphaherpesvirus infection. They also collected several specimens including blister fluid, blood, nasal swab, throat swab, and plasma to further identify the etiological agent.
The samples were sent to the National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention (IVDC) of China CDC. The IVDC conducted four sets of RT-PCR to detect BV, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), monkeypox virus and orthopoxvirus, however, the sample tested positive only for BV.
All close contacts of the patient are reported to have tested negative for the virus and are safe from it, for now, reported Global Times. Citing the first human fatality from Monkey BV, China CDC Weekly said that the virus might pose a zoonotic threat to primate veterinarians, animal care personnel, or laboratory researchers.
The journal stressed the need to eliminate the virus during the development of “specific pathogen-free rhesus colonies” and to strengthen surveillance in laboratory macaques and occupational workers in China.
Here’s all you need to know about Monkey BV:
- Monkey BV, an alphaherpesvirus enzootic in macaques, was initially isolated in 1932.
- According to China CDC Weekly, the virus is generally transmitted via direct contact and exchange of bodily fluid secretions.
- While BV is not evident in its natural macaque hosts, about 60 cases of pathogenic zoonotic BV infection have occurred, with the fatality rate around 70%–80%, the journal said.
- According to a report published in the US National Library of Medicine, BV has a propensity to invade the central nervous system when transmitted to humans.
- The 2008 report said that the development and maintenance of true BV specific pathogen-free macaque colonies, as suggested by China CDC Weekly, has proven difficult.
- The initial symptoms usually develop around 1-3 weeks after exposure to the virus.
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The smallpox vaccine apparently works on monkeypox.So do they have a vaccine for the Monkeypox ?
Well, people sometimes climb into animal enclosures at zoos, so...Why would she do that?...
Driver who stopped to help when truck carrying 100 lab monkeys crashed in Pennsylvania and put her hand in one of the cages says she now has a cough and pink eye: CDC urges anyone in contact with the macaques to seek medical attention
A truck carrying around 100 monkeys that crashed in Pennsylvania is now sparking fears of infection after a woman who came into contact with the primates began to feel unwell.
Michelle Fallon, from Danville near Scranton, was driving directly behind the vehicle when it crashed, throwing animal crates all over the highway and smashing some to pieces.
Four of the 100 animals escaped and were seen sitting among the wreckage before they fled.
Police say they have now all been accounted for, with three known to have been euthanised.
Fallon said she got out to help both the driver and the animals in their cages, initially believing them to be cats. When she approached and put her hand on the cage, she says the monkey hissed at her.
The day following the accident, Fallon suddenly developed a cough and pink-eye, which became so bad that she had to visit the emergency room at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
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It looks like we've now got community spread of the disease. Great.UK monkeypox alert as health chiefs detect another FOUR cases of killer virus with NO links to Africa - as gay and bisexual men are urged to look out for 'unusual rash'
Four more people have been diagnosed with monkeypox in the UK, bringing the total number of cases in the latest outbreak to seven. All four new patients are gay or bisexual men who were infected in London and had no travel links to Africa, health chiefs have confirmed after MailOnline broke the news earlier today.
Two are known to each other but have no connection to any of the previous cases, in a sign the virus is spreading in the community for the first time. Nurses and doctors are being advised to stay 'alert' to patients who present with a new rash.
Monkeypox is often mistaken for more common rash illnesses like chickenpox, measles, scabies and syphilis, which makes it difficult to diagnose early. Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: 'This is rare and unusual.
'UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact. 'We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.'
All seven UK cases have tested positive for the West African strain of the virus, which is believed to be milder than other versions.
Exactly how the new patients acquired the infection 'remains under urgent investigation', the UKHSA said.
The rare viral infection which kills up to one in ten of those infected but does not spread easily between people. It is transmitted via respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact or bodily fluids.
(More on the link)
It looks like we've now got community spread of the disease. Great.
Hopefully you - and everyone else - will never have to find out. Supposedly, that disease is bottled up somewhere.I was trying to remember if I was vaccinated for smallpox in the past, looked in my Navy medical records and yes I did get the smallpox vaccine as a child...I wonder if it's still effective?...
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The vaccine is however supposed to confer some immunity to the monkeypox disease, which is spreading in the world right now.Hopefully you - and everyone else - will never have to find out. Supposedly, that disease is bottled up somewhere.