Hong Kong’s first human case of B virus fighting for his life after monkey attack.
Hong Kong’s Center for Health Protection says a man, 37, was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital last month after being injured by monkeys during a trip to Kam Shan Country Park in late February
Macaques, a type of wild monkey common in Hong Kong, naturally carry the virus in their saliva, urine, and stool
A 37-year-old man who is in critical condition after being attacked by monkeys in a Hong Kong country park has tested positive for B virus, making him the first person in the city to contract the deadly infection.
Hong Kong authorities are investigating the case and warning the public to refrain from touching or feeding wild monkeys. Anyone wounded by monkeys should seek immediate medical attention, the Center for Health Protection said in a statement.
The cerebrospinal fluid specimen of the patient tested positive for B virus by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP today.
According to the information provided by his family members and preliminary investigations, the patient had contact with wild monkeys and was wounded by them during his visit to Kam Shan Country Park in late February. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
A spokesman for the CHP said that this is the first B virus human infection case recorded by the CHP, but these cases had been reported in other places such as the United States, Canada, the Mainland, and Japan, and were mainly caused by bites or scratches by monkeys while human-to-human transmissions are very rare. Members of the public are strongly urged to refrain from touching or feeding wild monkeys.
The spokesman supplemented that the B virus is naturally carried in the saliva, urine, and stool of macaques, which is a type of wild monkey commonly found in Hong Kong. Infected persons may initially present with flu-like symptoms that may progress to infection of the central nervous system.
To minimize the risk of acquiring B virus, members of the public are advised to note the following:
- Stay away from wild monkeys and avoid touching or feeding them;
- In case there are wounds caused by monkeys, wash the wound with running water and seek medical attention immediately.
Members of the public may also visit the website of the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department for more information on do’s and don’ts when encountering monkeys: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_fau/con_fau_nui/con_fau_nui_str/con_fau_nui_str.html.
TYT Newsroom
