B virus (Herpes B virus, Monkey B virus, Cercopithecine Herpesvirus 1) is a virus that infects the macaque species of monkeys and can cause a highly fatal encephalitis in humans. Monkeys do not often show visible signs of infection, or they may have a mild cold sore type lesion. Because of the serious nature of the disease and the prevelance of infection in the macaque species, it is best to assume all macaque monkey are infected with B virus and to use proper precautions at all times. Working with tissue from a non-human primate also presents a significant risk and precautions should be used.

An exposure to B virus would include: a bite or scratch from a monkey; a scratch from a monkey cage; contamination of a wound with body fluids from a monkey; a needle stick from a needle that was in a monkey; splashing of body fluids from a monkey into the eye mouth or any other mucus membrane. If you have any doubt about whether you were exposed, follow the procedures outlined below and discuss the risk with your health care provider.

In all of the monkey housing or use areas there are Exposure Kits available. Be familiar with the location of these kits and if an exposure occurs, follow the steps outlined in the kit. This would include scrubbing the area well with the brush and soap provided for 15 minutes, (in the case of eye exposure do not use soap - use the eye wash station present in the area for 15 minutes), swabbing the wound for culture and then PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. Go to Boynton Health Services during normal business hours to Fairview -University Emergency after hours. Bring the informational sheet for the health care provider with you. Inform RAR of the incident as soon as possible.

Prevention

• Wear the protective clothing provided at all times when working with non-human primates, their wastes or their tissues. This includes when working with the animals in your laboratories. The protective clothing should consist of a gown, gloves, mask, shoe covers, hair covers and goggles or face shield.
• Be careful with sharps and never re-use sharps that have been used in a non-human primate.
• Be familiar with the location of exposure kits and the procedures to follow in the event of an exposure.