Info for Physicians, Medical Professionals & Patients

All cases of B virus occur after exposure to monkeys, monkey tissues or bodily fluids from an infected person (one case). Symptoms typically appear five days to one month following exposure. Symptoms include “vesicular skin lesions at or near the exposure site; aching; chills and other flu-like symptoms; persistent fever; nausea; lethargy; chest pain and difficult breathing;and neurological symptoms such as itching or tingling at or near the exposure site, numbness, dizziness, double vision, difficult swallowing and confusion.” Other symptoms may occur as well. Treatment is critical, as coma, respiratory failure and death quickly result otherwise. (from Nonhuman Primates in Biomedical Research: Biology and Management pp 395)