Hong Kong Man Fighting For Life After Monkey Attack: More About Deadly 'Herpes B' Virus

Hong Kong Man Fighting For Life After Monkey Attack: More About Deadly 'Herpes B' Virus

Since there is no vaccine that can protect you from B virus infection, stay away from macaque monkeys and do not get bitten or scratched. (Representational image/Freepik)

The specifics of the victim's injuries are not known. Reports suggest a few weeks after the attack, the man took ill. He was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital's emergency department on March 21 with fever and 'decreased conscious level'.

Monkey attacks and bites are common in many parts of the world, but a recent incident from Hong Kong has made global news in the post-pandemic world that is still reeling from the after-effects of Covid-19 infection. A 37-year-old man in Hong Kong is fighting for his life in an intensive care unit after contracting a 'deadly' form of herpes from monkeys. According to news reports, looking at his condition, health officials have cautioned the public against interactions with wild macaques. In February, the victim 'sustained injuries' from wild macaques when he visited the Kam Shan Country Park -- also known as 'Monkey Hill'. Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection has reportedly announced this is the first human case of B virus in a rare occurence of the virus being transmitted from animals to humans (zoonotic spillover).

More About The B Virus Case In Hong Kong

The specifics of the victim's injuries are not known. Reports suggest that a few weeks after the attack, the man -- who had otherwise been in 'good past health', according to a statement released on the Hong Kong government's website -- took ill. He was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital's emergency department on March 21 with fever and 'decreased conscious level'. Just last week, his cerebrospinal fluid (a colourless body fluid found within the tissue that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord) specimen tested positive for the B virus. He is in a critical condition right now.

Everything To Know About B Virus

Also known as the herpes simiae virus, B virus infection is 'extremely rare', but can lead to severe brain damage or death if the patient does not receive treatment immediately, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Usually, people get infected with B virus if they are 'bitten or scratched' by an infected macaque monkey, or if they have 'contact with the monkey's eyes, nose, or mouth'.

It Is Very Serious...

The CDC states that the 'first indications' of a B virus infection are typically symptoms of flu: fever and chills; muscle ache; fatigue; headache. Additionally, one may also develop 'small blisters' in the wound or the area of the body that had contact with the monkey. Symptoms typically start within a month of being exposed to a monkey with the deadly infection. But, it could also appear in three to seven days. Other symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath

Nausea and vomiting

Abdominal pain

Hiccups

With the disease making progress, the virus may spread to and cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, leading to: neurologic and inflammatory symptoms (pain, numbness, itching) near the wound site; problems with muscle coordination; severe damage to the brain and the nervous system; death.

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How To Prevent B Virus Infection

Since there is no vaccine that can protect you from B virus infection, stay away from macaque monkeys and do not get bitten or scratched; refrain from touching or feeding monkeys, the CDC notes.

First Aid

If there has been an exposure to a macaque monkey:

Thoroughly wash and gently scrub the wound with soap, detergent, or iodine for 15 minutes.

Run water over the wound for 15 to 20 minutes more. This should be followed by medical assistance.

Tell your healthcare provider about your encounter with a macaque monkey that may be infected with B virus.

Treatment may include antiviral medications.