Based on the Paper Published by the B Virus
Working Group in January, 1990 (Holmes et al.)
1. Around the world, despite the
thousands of monkey inflicted bites, scratches and exposures occurring annually, less than
a total of 40 human B virus infections have been reported in the world’s
English-language literature.
2. Between
1987 and 1994, despite the thousands of specimens obtained for B virus studies, only eight
confirmed cases of human infection were detected.
3. Only 2-3% of seropositive
animals shed virus at any given time.
Based on the Experience of One US Research
Facility Housing Approximately 500 Macaques (90% Cynomolgus and 10% Rhesus)
4. Newly acquired Cynomolgus
monkeys obtained from the island of Mauritius have not been known to be infected.
5. Monkeys are tested for
seroconversion one month prior to shipping by the vendor and every six months in the
animal lab.
6. Only one monkey in the years
1994 through 1996 seroconverted.
7. Only 8 injuries were recorded
in 1996: 4 bites, 1 scratch and the rest involved injuries from cages and scalpel blades
during necropsy.
Read about the four cases of symptomatic B virus infection in humans that occurred in
Pensacola, Florida in March 1987. (Annals of Int. Med., 6/1/90) Two of these people died
and the other two were asymptomatic in 1990 while continuing acyclovir. The two who died
were bitten by monkey X which was ill at the time with conjunctivitis and diarrhea.
"Three risk factors for human infection were identified:
nonuse of mechanical or chemical restraints for monkeys before handling, nonuse of
available protective gear, and direct viral inoculation through the application of topical
medication."
