A Beijing-based veterinarian, who was confirmed as China’s first human infection case with Monkey B virus (BV) has died, the state-run Global Times reported on Saturday.
The 53-year-old man, who worked for an institution researching on non-human primates, showed early-onset symptoms of nausea and vomiting, a month after he dissected two dead monkeys in early march, the Global Times reported citing English Platform of Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the report, the vet had sought treatment in several hospitals, but he eventually died on May 27.
For now, his close contacts were said to be safe, it added.
The report also said that there were no fatal or even clinically evident BV infections in China before, thus the vet’s case marks the first human infection case with BV identified in China.
In April, researchers had 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.
What is Monkey B virus:
Initially isolated in 1932, the virus is an alphaherpesvirus enzootic in macaques of the genus Macaca. It can be transmitted via direct contact and exchange of bodily secretions and has a fatality rate of 70% to 80%.
According to the journal, BV in monkeys might pose a potential threat to occupational workers.
The report said it is necessary to eliminate BV during the development of specific pathogen-free rhesus colonies and to strengthen surveillance in laboratory macaques and occupational workers in China.
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