A new viral infection has been reported in China even as the world grapples with the devastating Covid-19 pandemic.
The Monkey B Virus (BV) claimed its first victim in China after a veterinary surgeon contacted the virus while dissecting two animals. The surgeon died in May after visiting several hospitals.
Blister fluid, blood, nasal swab, throat swab, and plasma were also collected from the patient for further sequencing, following which the Monkey B virus was identified.
The Monkey BV is caused by macaques, a genus of Old World monkeys that serve as the natural host.
The virus is found in saliva, faeces, urine, brain or spinal cord tissue of macaques, which can survive for hours on surfaces, particularly when moist.
Just like coronavirus, the first symptoms of the Monkey B Virus are flu-like, which include fever and chills, muscle ache, fatigue, headache. The infected person may also develop small blisters in the wound. Few other symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, hiccups.
As the disease worsens, the virus may lead to swelling of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in neurological and inflammatory symptoms, problems with muscle coordination, brain damage and severe damage to the nervous system eventually leading to death.
Currently, there is no vaccine to counter the Monkey B Virus. However, timely antiviral medications could help in reducing the risk to life.