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Journal articles and publications about B virus and B virus infection.

B virus infection is caused by the zoonotic agent Macacine herpesvirus 1, an alphaherpesvirus commonly found among macaque monkeys—the natural host. B virus infection in macaques results in a disease similar to herpes simplex virus infection in humans.

CDC Herpes B virus site home page

Although B virus disease in humans is extremely rare, when it does occur, it is often fatal unless treated right away.

Persons at greatest risk for B virus infection are veterinarians, laboratory workers, and others who have close contact with Old World macaques or monkey cell cultures.

While exposures that involve unpredictable, potentially aggressive animals are not completely preventable, adherence to appropriate laboratory and animal facility protocols will greatly reduce the risk of B virus transmission.

In cases of B virus exposure and infection, specimens for virus culture and serologic testing should be obtained from the exposed person and, when feasible, from the source animal.

Monkeys infected with B virus usually have no or only mild symptoms. In humans, however, B virus infection can result in acute ascending encephalomyelitis, resulting in death or severe neurologic impairment.

Transmission risks of B virus to humans should be considered in the context of the rarity of observed transmission, even among broadly infected populations of animals.