0
0
Man in Critical Condition after Macaque Monkey Attack
A 37-year-old man is currently in critical condition in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Hong Kong after sustaining injuries from monkeys during a visit to Kam Shan Country Park. The incident, which took place in late February, led to the contraction of a rare and deadly virus spread by primates, as per local health officials.
Details of the Incident
The park is widely known for its conservation of wild macaque monkeys and has a section referred to as “Monkey Hill,” which locals consider a macaque kingdom. Following the attack, the man, who was previously in good health, was admitted to the hospital on March 21 after experiencing fever and a decreased conscious level. Tests conducted on his cerebrospinal fluid revealed the presence of B virus, also known as herpes B virus or herpesvirus simiae.
B Virus: A Dangerous Infection
B virus is a common infection found in macaques that typically results in asymptomatic or mild illness in the animals. Human infections from this virus are rare but often severe and fatal when they do occur. Symptoms may initially resemble those of the flu, but the virus can lead to brain and spinal cord damage, causing nerve damage and death. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, untreated B virus infections in humans have a fatality rate of around 70 percent.
Rare Occurrence in Hong Kong
Despite the presence of macaques in the region, this case marks the first documented B virus infection in Hong Kong. B virus was identified in 1932, and there have been only 50 documented human infections as of 2019, with 21 resulting in death. Health officials stress the importance of maintaining a distance from wild monkeys, refraining from feeding or touching them, and seeking medical attention if bitten or scratched.
Image/Photo credit: source url
