Epidemiologic Notes and Reports
Update: Evidence of Filovirus Infection in an Animal Caretaker in
a Research/Service Facility
Evidence of filovirus infection in workers in quarantine
facilities for imported primates has prompted new guidelines for
safe handling of monkeys and the requirement for a special permit
to import cynomolgus, African green, and rhesus monkeys into the
United States (1,2). This evidence of infection has also prompted
studies of other workers exposed to monkeys in various types of
facilities.
Filovirus serologic testing was done on 55 CDC employees with
current or previous occupational exposure to monkeys. One of
these employees, an animal caretaker who had previously handled
cynomolgus monkeys but has had no contact with any monkeys since
December 1988, was seropositive (filovirus antibody titer greater
than or equal to 16 by indirect immunofluorescent antibody and
confirmed by Western blot). Serosurveys of other groups of
persons exposed to monkeys are in progress.
Reported by: RK Sikes, DVM, State Epidemiologist, Georgia Dept of
Human Resources. Div of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases,
Scientific Resources Program, Center for Infectious Diseases,
CDC.
References
CDC. Update: Ebola-related filovirus infection in nonhuman
primates and interim guidelines for handling nonhuman primates
during transit and quarantine. MMWR 1990;39:22-4,29-30.
CDC. Requirement for a special permit to import cynomolgus,
African green, or rhesus monkeys into the United States. Federal
Register 1990;55:15210-1.
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