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Macacine Herpesvirus 1 Antibody Prevalence and DNA Shedding among Invasive Rhesus Macaques, Silver Springs State Park, Florida, USA, Samantha M. Wisely et al.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/eid/2018/1.html
Rhesus macaques are the most frequently used nonhuman primate species in biomedical research. In laboratory settings, rhesus macaques are considered an occupational health threat because they harbor macacine herpesvirus 1 (McHV-1), also known as herpes B virus. Although McHV-1 infection does not produce clinical illness in macaques, about 70% of infections in people are fatal if not treated with antiviral medications. Transmission has typically occurred through exposure to macaque bodily fluids as a result of bites and scratches. Outside of the laboratory setting, little is known about the risk for transmission or the incidence of human disease resulting from McHV-1 exposure. No human deaths have been reported from contracting McHV-1 from free-ranging macaques, suggesting the risk for transmission from these animals is low; however, there has been little research on the subject. During 2015–2016, researchers collected saliva and fecal samples from the free-ranging rhesus macaques of Silver Springs State Park, a popular public park in central Florida, United States, to determine the risk for transmission of the virus to people. The researchers concluded that these free-ranging macaques can shed the virus, putting people at risk for exposure to this potentially fatal pathogen. In light of their findings, the researchers recommend that management plans be put in place to limit transmission of McHV-1 from these macaques.
Contact: Samantha M. Wisely, University of Florida, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; (352)-846-0645 or wisely@ufl.edu.