A 37-year-old man is currently battling for his life in the hospital after contracting a rare and deadly virus from a monkey bite.
The incident reportedly occurred during a visit to Hong Kong’s Kam Shan Country Park, also known as Monkey Hill, in late February. The man was attacked by a monkey during his trip, resulting in him contracting the brain-swelling virus.
He was admitted to the hospital on March 21 after experiencing symptoms such as fever and decreased consciousness. According to a statement from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), he has since been transferred to the intensive care unit and is in critical condition.
Tests confirmed that he had been infected with monkey virus B, also known as herpes B virus, commonly found in the saliva, urine, and feces of macaques. While macaque monkeys typically carry the virus without showing symptoms, it can be deadly to humans.
The man’s family reported that he had direct contact with the monkeys in the park and sustained injuries as a result.
The virus, although extremely rare in humans, can lead to severe neurological issues such as encephalitis and brain damage. It is transmitted through bites, scratches, or contact with the monkey’s bodily fluids.
Symptoms of the virus resemble those of the flu and may include fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache. Some individuals may develop small blisters at the site of contact with the monkey.
Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine for herpes B, and treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms and administering antiviral medications.
This marks the first recorded case of the virus in Hong Kong, although it has been previously documented in other countries such as the US, Canada, and China.
The CHP has issued a warning to the public to avoid touching or feeding wild monkeys to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
Similar to the coronavirus, symptoms of the Monkey-B virus include fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache. The virus can progress to cause neurological symptoms, muscle coordination problems, and even death.
While some individuals may experience mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic, there is limited evidence to support this. Vigilance and caution are necessary when interacting with monkeys to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
