Human exposure to herpesvirus B-seropositive Macaques, Bali, Indonesia

Gregory A. Engel, Lisa Jones-Engel, Michael A. Schillaci, Komang Gde Suaryana, Artha Putra, Agustin Fuentes, Richard Henkel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

Herpesvirus B (Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1) has been implicated as the cause of approximately 40 cases of meningoencephalitis affecting persons in direct or indirect contact with laboratory macaques. However, the threat of herpesvirus B in nonlaboratory settings worldwide remains to be addressed. We investigated the potential for exposure to herpesvirus B in workers at a "monkey forest" (a temple that has become a tourist attraction because of its monkeys) in Bali, Indonesia. In July 2000, 105 workers at the Sangeh Monkey Forest in Central Bali were surveyed about contact with macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Nearly half of those interviewed had either been bitten or scratched by a macaque. Prevalence of injury was higher in those who fed macaques. Serum from 31 of 38 Sangeh macaques contained antibodies to herpesvirus B. We conclude that workers coming into contact with macaques at the Sangeh Monkey Forest are at risk for exposure to herpesvirus B.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)789-795
Number of pages7
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
Volume8
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2002
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

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