All you need to know about the Monkey B Virus

With more
contagious variants of the novel coronavirus leading fresh surge of cases in
various parts of the world, a new viral infection from China has sent alarm
bells ringing in the scientific community.

China reported its first death from the Monkey B Virus (BV) after a Beijing-based veterinary
surgeon contracted the virus while dissecting two animals, according to an India Today
report. He died in May after being admitted in various hospitals. The case, first
reported in March, was revealed in a Chinese Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (China CDC) briefing last week.

Reports
claimed that an analysis of the surgeon’s cerebrospinal fluid indicated an alpha
herpesvirus infection. The patient’s blister fluid, blood, nasal swab, throat
swab and plasma was sent to the National Institute for Viral Disease Control
and Prevention (IVDC) od China CDC, where the strain was confirmed as Monkey
BV.

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What is Monkey B Virus (BV)?

Macaques, a
genus of Old World monkeys are the natural hosts for the virus. Chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys
can also die from the infection. It is also referred to as herpes B, monkey B
virus, herpesvirus simiae and herpesvirus B.

The US CDC
has said that B Virus infections in people were rare and that only 50 people
have been infected since it was first detected in 1932, of which only 21 have
died.

How does it spread?

So far, there
have been no reports of human-to-human transmission and contact tracing have
returned negative results. The 50 documented cases since 1932 were infected only
after being bitten or scratched by a monkey, or when infected tissues from a
monkey got under their skin.

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What are the symptoms?

The earliest
symptoms of the Monkey B Virus are similar to flu, a commonality with the coronavirus.
Fevers, chills, muscle ache, fatigue, headache are some of its common symptoms.
Gradually, patients might develop blisters on their wounds and other symptoms
include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.

In its
advanced stages, the virus may cause swelling of the brain and spinal cord, causing
neurological and inflammatory symptoms, which lead to death. The CDC says
symptoms may last from one day to three weeks.

Treatment:

There are
no vaccines for the Monkey B Virus. If bitten by a monkey, one should wash the
wound with soap or iodine for 15 minutes before seeking professional medical help.