Florida rhesus macaques carry potential fatal herpes B virus

Rhesus macaques introduced to a Florida state park in the 1930s to boost tourism now carry a potentially fatal virus, according to a study. The herpes B virus causes no symptoms in monkeys but can lead to fatal encephalitis in humans. Researchers from the University of Florida and the University of Washington studied the macaque population at Silver Springs State Park.

The Times of India reports that the population grew from 12 animals to 400 in the 1980s, with 175 remaining in 2015. Blood samples from 317 macaques taken between 2000 and 2012 showed antibodies to the virus in some animals. The team also used cotton swabs to collect saliva from two macaque groups across three seasons to detect active viral shedding, as herpes B can reactivate during stress periods such as breeding and nursing.

Transmission to humans typically occurs through bites, scratches, or contact with infected fluids. The virus has been a known occupational hazard in research laboratories, but this study examines the risk from wild, free-ranging populations. The researchers are seeking to determine if the virus in this population is genetically similar to dangerous laboratory strains.