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Keep children away from macaque monkeys!
Camille Bréhin1, Cécile Debuisson2, Jean-Michel Mansuy3
1Service d'Accueil des Urgences Pédiatriques, Hôpital des Enfants, CHU Toulouse, France, brehin.c@chu-toulouse.fr.
Insights
Pediatric macaque bites can lead to serious infections like febrile dermohypodermitis. Parents should avoid monkey encounters during travel to prevent zoonotic disease transmission.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Macaque bites pose a potential zoonotic risk to humans, particularly children.
- Travel to regions with endemic simian herpes virus necessitates awareness of potential health hazards.
- Physicians and parents require updated information on managing pediatric animal bites.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of macaque bites sustained during holidays are presented.
- A 4-year-old boy developed febrile dermohypodermitis requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.
- A 10-year-old girl received only local wound care and antibiotic ointment.
Findings:
- Both children tested negative for simian herpes virus via PCR.
- The boy received an initial rabies vaccination abroad.
- Prompt medical intervention, including antibiotics and vaccination, is crucial for managing macaque bites.
Implications:
- Physicians and travel health providers should educate families about the zoonotic risks associated with macaque encounters.
- Parents should actively prevent children from interacting with monkeys in endemic areas.
- Enhanced traveler advisories are needed to mitigate risks of zoonotic infections from exotic animal interactions.
Abstract:
To warn physicians and parents about the risk of macaque bites, we present two pediatric cases (a 4-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl) of bites sustained while on holiday. The young boy developed febrile dermohypodermitis and was hospitalized for IV antibiotic treatment. He received an initial antirabies vaccine while still in the holiday destination. Except for local wound disinfection and antibiotic ointment, the girl did not receive any specific treatment while abroad. Both were negative for simian herpes PCR. When travelling in countries or cities with endemic simian herpes virus, parents should keep children away from monkeys. Travel agencies, pediatricians and family physicians should better inform families about the zoonotic risk.