What Is The Monkey B Virus That Claimed Its First Human Life In China? Here Is Everything You Need To Know About It!

While the world is still battling the coronavirus-induced pandemic which reportedly originated in China, another virus has claimed its first victim in the neighbouring country.

The Monkey B Virus (BV) has claimed the life of a veterinary surgeon who contacted the virus while dissection two animals.

The case was first reported back in March this year and was revealed in the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) briefing last week.

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

The 53-year-old vet from Beijing died in May after visiting several hospitals, reported The Washington Post. According to the report, analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid from the patient indicated alphaherpesvirus infection.

Blister fluid, blood, nasal swab, throat swab, and plasma were also collected from the patient for further testing. After collecting the samples, they were sent to the National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention (IVDC) of China CDC. It was identified as the Monkey B virus.

This virus is caused by macaques, a genus of Old World monkeys that serve as the natural host. It is transmitted by macaques; chimpanzees and capuchin monkey can also become infected with the Monkey BV and die. It is also commonly referred to as herpes B, monkey B virus, herpesvirus simiae and herpesvirus B.

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History of the Monkey B Virus

According to the United States' Centre for Disease Control (CDC), B Virus infections in people were rare and since its first detection in 1932, it has infected just 50 people. Only 21 of them died.

There have also been no reports of human to human transmission of the virus so far and contact tracing showed negative results.

The 50 documented cases since 1932 got infected with the virus were people who were bitten or scratched by a monkey, or when tissue or fluids from a monkey got on their broken skin.

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What are the symptoms?

The virus is supposed to be found in saliva, faeces, urine, brain or spinal cord tissues of macaques. It can also survive for hours on surfaces, especially when moist.

The chances of common people getting infected by the virus is low; the risk is high among laboratory workers, veterinarians, and others who may be exposed to monkeys or their specimens.

The first symptoms of the Monkey B virus are similar to the novel coronavirus - fever, chills, muscle ache, fatigue, headache.

People infected by the virus may also develop small blisters in the wound. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, hiccups.

As the virus worsens, it may cause swelling of the brain and spinal cord which can result in neurological and inflammatory symptoms, issues with muscle coordination, brain damage and severe damage to the nervous system eventually leading to death.

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Presently, there is no vaccine to treat the Monkey B virus. According to doctors, if you are bitten by a monkey, wash and scrub the wound with soap, detergent or iodine for 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately.