Herpes B Virus: A Death-Dealing Contamination

Non-human primates are vectors of a diverse range of lethal infections in humans, and Herpes B Virus (BV) is an apt illustration of it. It is death-dealing contamination engendered by Cercopithecine Herpes Virus, of which 35 herpes virus distinguished in non-human primates, only Cercopithecine is found involved in affecting People.

Also acknowledged as Monkey B Virus or Macaque Herpesvirus, rarely becomes pathogenic to Human but the significant mortality rate (over 70%) is what the area of concern. B virus in Human causes fatal ascending encephalitis that often ends in death in the absence of medical attention.

Herpes Cure Care don’t want to induce panic, no. The death ratio of infection is an inevitable truth (at least for now). The recognition of what happens during Herpes B virus puts you ahead to access early antiviral treatment to prevent life-threatening instances.

The Passing Of Herpes B Virus | How Transmission Occurs

Macaque Monkey is a transporter of Herpes Simplex B; hence, in most instances, the transmission happens from exposure to primate described above. Rarely, contaminated superficies cause infection. Here is worth to be noted that every macaque monkey does not account for contamination. Only macaques already affected with B Virus can let the transmission happen. 

According to the CDC, Herpes Simplex B often finds its refuge in Macaques Monkeys. Humans may expose to BV if the contamination occurs in any manner from feces, spinal cord tissues, saliva, or urine. Fomites likely be a susceptible source of viral infection. 

Here is a listicle that outlines some viable way of exposure:

• Getting bitten by Macaque Monkey already have this contamination.
• By the scratch of an infected monkey.
• Touching saliva, urine, or any tissues that possess Herpes B Virus.
• Needle based contamination.
• Exposure to monkey kidney cells.

The Herpes Simplex B can persevere for several hours outside the human body; the odds are there of exposure by rock and cage surfaces. The Human to human transmission is improbable as only a case reported yet. 

How to Know If A Monkey Has Herpes Simplex B Infection

Macaque monkeys usually don’t get annoyed by B Virus as it resides dormant and does not provoke symptoms. But not in every case. Some monkeys end up with some characteristic features of B virus. Lesions on the face, in the mouth or at genital regions can appear. 

Watch out for those monkeys presenting overt clinical symptoms of Herpes Simplex B Virus. It needs to be assumed that every monkey is a potential vector of Herpes B Virus. Macaques wander in the wild customarily become the prey to BV (Nearly 100%).

How Herpes B Virus Affect Humans

Irrefutably, the infection with Herpes Simplex B rarely comes to light, but the lethal outgrowths often induce the loss of the patient. The year 1933 witnessed the first case of Herpes B Virus since then, over twenty-four death instances verified. 

Contrary to other forms of herpes, B virus is undoubtedly deadly and distinct to humans. Patients immune system declares itself inept when Herpes Simplex B begins taking over the immunity. The immune system prefers to capitulate to this virus which makes the situation lethal. 

When BV chooses to contaminate humans, it extends its reach to a multitude of body parts. It causes significant damage to the central nervous system (CNS) with the ascending encephalitis.

Myelitis, which accounts for the inflammation of Spinal cords, cuts the brain’s connection from other body parts. Ascending myelitis often allows respiratory failure to occur. Such conditions usually don’t be a part of Herpes B Virus until it is in the last stage. 

The initiatory presence of the infection does not go beyond influenza-like clinical traits. The starting herpes simplex B symptoms confined to malaise, fever, headache, muscle aches, and seldom chills. The time it becomes progressive, it starts showing its wicked appearance.

Breathlessness, nausea, stomach ache, and neurological symptoms start manifesting. The virus begins disseminating to the CNS which in response be a source of Paralysis, Ataxia, and Agitation. 

Case Studies

28th November 2019 Incident

We have a news coming from Japan (Near Kagoshima City) where the first ever reported case of Herpes B virus captured the world’s attention. Officials said in a statement which reads – A lab worker is dealing with deadly B Virus and the patient’s condition is critical since Friday. The prelim investigation is going through to determine how the infection has occurred.[/su_service]

Another Case

It is a case study of a laboratory worker who fortuitously got bitten by a macaque. The incident occurred in a workroom where a macaque somehow managed to attack a worker out there. Within a few days, the wound healed. 

But, straightaway the patient underwent the high degree of fever accompanying with ascending myelitis. The infection also disseminated to the worker’s Central Nervous System (CNS).

All these complexities finally killed the worker. It happened within the time frame of 15 days from the first appearance of the symptoms. 

The incident discussed above cautions us and give us a lesson to be cautious of surrounding macaque monkeys. 

Herpes Simplex B Diagnosis

A quick and definitive diagnosis, served by an appropriate treatment regimen, can substantially increase the survival rate of the host. The more the diagnosis setbacks, the higher the patient vulnerable to death. 

The detection of Herpes B Virus often seems challenging, though it can be done through serological and viral culture assessment. In this regard, the collection of serum plays a vital role in the definitive diagnosis of BV. Herpes Cure Care team suggest to collect post-exposure serum carefully and send it to the lab testing. 

The PCR test may show the presence of Herpes Simplex B, but, it is recommended not to collect the PCR sample right after the exposure.

It might propel B virus deep in you. The sample for PCR test only is obtained when there is an apparent indication of Herpes B Virus. 

Healthcare professionals suggest direct culture test for detecting Herpes Simplex B. It is a standard diagnostic method to detect BV infection.  

HSV and Herpes Simplex B are distinct but belong to the same family; hence, a chance is there of misdiagnosis. It is worth to set up a method that can discriminate between them.

Treatment And Management: A Challenge Before Physician

It provokes death in most cases, even the appropriate treatment regimen is followed. More than 70 per cent of deaths occur due to Herpes B Virus with the proper treatment, which farther bounces to nearly 100 per cent before the lack of medical attention. The challenges are significant, but scientists have no clue in this regard. 

The medical practitioners often chase the standard herpes antivirals to prevent the patient’s death.

It is also used to control the magnitude of the disease. Intravenous antivirals, including Valacyclovir, Acyclovir and Ganciclovir are the prominent choice of drugs to manage BV. These medicines should be given until the patient’s condition gets better.

A research concluded that Et-dU and PCV are promising anti-BV medication, high in potency than convention antivirals. It is lesser in toxic than conventional herpes antivirals. PCV is an antiviral ointment used topically on the affected body part. In the case where the lesion occurred due to BV, applying the PCV ointment can speed up the wound healing process.

With the ongoing treatment, the patient should be carefully observed by continuous serological testing.