Latest news with #HerpesB
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Health
- Sky News AU
Australian bitten by a monkey in Bali, sparking a medical emergency as tourists warned about the importance of travel insurance
A naughty monkey that bit an Aussie traveller in Bali sparked a medical emergency that highlighted the benefit of travel insurance. 'While enjoying the cultural sights of Bali, a traveller had an unfortunate run in when a monkey attempted to steal their glasses,' explained Medibank spokesman Milosh Milisavljevic. 'The monkey took aim and bit the traveller, requiring immediate medical attention. 'Our 24-hour emergency assistance team quickly arranged for appropriate treatment, vaccinations, and follow-up care advice.' Indonesian health authorities warn monkey bites in Bali can cause rabies and other ailments such as 'monkey malaria', viruses like Herpes B and even mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs warns infection rates from rabies have surged in Bali, with popular tourist spots have been proclaimed 'red zones'. These included South Kuta, Nusa-Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Jimbara and Changgu. The disease, most commonly spread by dogs, is 100 per cent fatal. Health experts say any monkey bite or scratch in Bali should be treated as a medical emergency, regardless of whether the monkey appears healthy or not. The traveller bitten by the monkey trying to steal the sunglasses survived, Mr Milisavljevic said. And Medibank picked up the $10,600 bill for medical and hospital expenses, he said. Fortunately, the errant monkey didn't have the disease. Medibank's most expensive claim last year was for $275,000 – for a sprained ankle, Mr Milisavljevic said. He said the medical emergency happened in America where hospital charges can be astronomical. 'Something as simple as a sprained ankle tripped this traveller up,' he said. 'Despite attempting to walk it off, the pain and swelling worsened within hours. The traveller contacted the 24-hour emergency assistance team, who promptly arranged for medical care. Doctors discovered a broken toe and torn ligaments. 'The traveller received pain relief, some mobility aids and follow up treatment.' In Italy, another Australian insured with Medibank received a payout of $16,000 after his luggage and travel documents disappeared. 'The traveller contacted the 24-hour emergency assistance team who were able to support them in reporting the incident to the police and embassy and putting plans in place to help them continue their holiday.' Indonesia was the most popular international destination that Medibank travel insurance customers travelled to in 2024, followed by USA, New Zealand, Europe, Japan. Most claims were made by Australians travelling in Indonesia, USA, Thailand, Italy, Vietnam and China. 'The most common reasons for claims being overseas medical and hospital expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, additional expenses, such as new flights and the cost of extra hotel accommodation, and travel delay expenses,' Mr Milisavljevic. 'Unfortunately, things can sometimes go wrong on holidays.' Insurance is also available for people travelling within Australia. Travellers seeking medical procedures abroad are generally not covered by travel insurance. 'Some go for treatments that are unavailable in Australia,' a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman said on the Smartraveller website. 'The most common procedures Australians go overseas for are, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, heart surgery, fertility treatments, surrogacy, gender affirming surgery, stem-cell therapy and cancer treatments.' Some go for hair transplants. Others go for hip and knee replacement surgeries to avoid the lengthy waiting lists in Australia's public hospitals.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Can wild monkeys in Florida give people herpes?
They might not be the first animal that comes to mind when you think of Florida's wildlife, but beware: wild rhesus macaque monkeys in the Sunshine State have tested positive for the Herpes B virus, and contracting it can prove deadly. Nearly 200 rhesus macaque monkeys live in and roam Florida's Silver Spring State Park, where they were first introduced almost 100 years ago, local outlet Click Orlando reports. Now, they can be found all over the state, and sightings are on the rise, according to the outlet. Several central Florida counties, including Marion, Seminole and Lake counties, have seen an increase in Macaque sightings over the last two years, Click Orlando reports. Similarly, several monkeys were reported roaming Orange City in Volusia County last month, CBS News reports. Many of them carry diseases, including Herpes B virus, which can cause an 'extremely rare' but 'serious and even deadly' infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus, while rare, can be spread through an infected monkey's bite or scratch; coming into contact with an infected monkey's skin or fluid; scratching or cutting yourself on a contaminated cage or other sharp surface; or being exposed to the brain, spinal cord, or skull of the infected monkey, the CDC says. The first signs of infection include flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills, the CDC says. Then, it's possible to develop small blisters near the wound or area where one had contact with the monkey. The virus then causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord. The disease can cause 'severe brain damage or death' if contracted, according to the CDC. Macaque monkeys can become aggressive when fed, leading to a higher probability of a scratch or bite — that's why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission prohibited feeding them in 2018, Click Orlando reports. 'If you are in a place with macaque monkeys, stay away from them so that you don't get bitten or scratched,' the CDC states on its website. 'You should not touch or feed monkeys.' The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says residents should never approach or feed monkeys. If a monkey is around, residents should keep children close and pets leashed. Residents should also dispose of uneaten food and other garbage in closed containers to prevent attracting the monkeys. If you're bitten or scratched by a monkey, seek medical attention and wash the wound immediately. Also call the National B Virus Resource Center: 404-413-6650. Any resident who observes a wild monkey that poses a threat can call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's wildlife alert hotline: 888-404-3922.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Can wild monkeys in Florida give people herpes?
They might not be the first animal that comes to mind when you think of Florida 's wildlife, but beware: wild rhesus macaque monkeys in the Sunshine State have tested positive for the Herpes B virus, and contracting it can prove deadly. Nearly 200 rhesus macaque monkeys live in and roam Florida's Silver Spring State Park, where they were first introduced almost 100 years ago, local outlet Click Orlando reports. Now, they can be found all over the state, and sightings are on the rise, according to the outlet. Several central Florida counties, including Marion, Seminole and Lake counties, have seen an increase in Macaque sightings over the last two years, Click Orlando reports. Similarly, several monkeys were reported roaming Orange City in Volusia County last month, CBS News reports. Many of them carry diseases, including Herpes B virus, which can cause an 'extremely rare' but 'serious and even deadly' infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus, while rare, can be spread through an infected monkey's bite or scratch; coming into contact with an infected monkey's skin or fluid; scratching or cutting yourself on a contaminated cage or other sharp surface; or being exposed to the brain, spinal cord, or skull of the infected monkey, the CDC says. The first signs of infection include flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills, the CDC says. Then, it's possible to develop small blisters near the wound or area where one had contact with the monkey. The virus then causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord. The disease can cause 'severe brain damage or death' if contracted, according to the CDC. Macaque monkeys can become aggressive when fed, leading to a higher probability of a scratch or bite — that's why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission prohibited feeding them in 2018, Click Orlando reports. 'If you are in a place with macaque monkeys, stay away from them so that you don't get bitten or scratched,' the CDC states on its website. 'You should not touch or feed monkeys.' The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says residents should never approach or feed monkeys. If a monkey is around, residents should keep children close and pets leashed. Residents should also dispose of uneaten food and other garbage in closed containers to prevent attracting the monkeys. If you're bitten or scratched by a monkey, seek medical attention and wash the wound immediately. Also call the National B Virus Resource Center: 404-413-6650. Any resident who observes a wild monkey that poses a threat can call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's wildlife alert hotline: 888-404-3922.
