WHAT IS HERPES B?
Herpes B virus kills around 70 per cent of sufferers unless they are treated immediately.
It is spread via macaque monkeys.
Macaques that are housed in primate facilities usually become infected by adulthood but often have no symptoms.
Infection in humans is extremely rare.
Since the virus was discovered in 1932, there have been 50 documented human cases, of which 21 were fatal.
Most of these infections resulted from animal bites or scratches, or from contaminated materials, such as a needle, entering broken skin.
However, a scientist died in 1997 after being splashed in the eye with an infected animal's bodily fluid.
Vets and lab workers are most at risk.
The herpes B virus can survive for hours on objects, particularly if they are moist.
Disease onset usually occurs within a month of virus exposure but can be as little as three days.
Symptoms include:
- Blisters at the site of exposure
- Pain, numbness or itching at the site
- Flu-like aches and pains
- Fever and chills
- Headaches that last more than a day
- Fatigue
- Poor co-ordination
- Shortness of breath
If the virus is not treated immediately and therefore enters the central nervous system, most patients die even with treatment.
The most common cause of death is respiratory failure with paralysis, which starts in the lower limbs and moves up.
The few who survive often have lasting brain damage.
If a person suspects they may be infected, preventative anti-viral therapy may be required up to five times a day for two weeks.
Treatment depends on whether the central nervous system is thought to be affected but usually involves anti-viral drugs given intravenously twice-a-day.
There is no vaccine for herpes B.
Those who work with macque monkeys should wear proper protective clothing, including gloves and a face shield.
The animals should also be handled humanely to reduce the risk of bites and scratches.
