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B-virus from pet macaque monkeys: an emerging threat in the United States?

S R Ostrowski1, M J Leslie, T Parrott

  • 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 21, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Macaque bites pose serious risks due to potential B-virus infections, which can be fatal to humans. Due to the high prevalence of this virus and increased risk to children, macaques are unsuitable as pets.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Macaque bites present significant health risks, primarily from bacterial and B-virus infections.
  • Herpes B virus (herpes B) is endemic in 80-90% of adult macaques.
  • Herpes B virus can cause fatal meningoencephalitis in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the risk of herpes B virus transmission from macaque bites to humans.
  • To assess the prevalence of herpes B virus in macaques involved in nonoccupational exposure incidents.
  • To inform public health recommendations regarding macaque ownership.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of seven nonoccupational exposure incidents.
  • Involvement of 24 individuals and 8 macaques.
  • Serological testing for herpes B virus in six macaques.

Main Results:

  • Four out of six (67%) tested macaques were seropositive for herpes B virus.
  • Children were bitten more than three times as often as adults.
  • Bacterial and herpes B virus infections are primary concerns in macaque bites.

Conclusions:

  • Herpes B virus is a significant potential health hazard in macaque bite wounds.
  • The high prevalence of herpes B virus in macaques and its transmission risk make them unsuitable as pets.
  • Public health awareness and precautions are crucial for individuals with macaque exposure.

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