10-27-2010, 12:13 PM
A never-before detected strain of virus that killed more than one-third of a monkey colony at a U.S. lab appears to have 'jumped' from the animals to sicken a human scientist, researchers report.
Although it's an unusual move for that type of virus and does warrant further monitoring, the researchers stress there is no cause for alarm :eek: at this time.
There is no evidence the virus has spread beyond the single scientist ââ¬â who recovered from her illness ââ¬â nor is there even proof that the virus would be transmissible between humans.
Still, "there is very strong evidence to suggest a cross-species transmission event happened," said lead investigator Dr. Charles Chiu, an assistant professor of laboratory medicine and medicine/infectious
diseases at the University of California San Francisco.
"I don't think people should be worried about this right now. It's more of a worry to public health officials monitoring these new viruses that have the potential for causing outbreaks."
Although it's an unusual move for that type of virus and does warrant further monitoring, the researchers stress there is no cause for alarm :eek: at this time.
There is no evidence the virus has spread beyond the single scientist ââ¬â who recovered from her illness ââ¬â nor is there even proof that the virus would be transmissible between humans.
Still, "there is very strong evidence to suggest a cross-species transmission event happened," said lead investigator Dr. Charles Chiu, an assistant professor of laboratory medicine and medicine/infectious
diseases at the University of California San Francisco.
"I don't think people should be worried about this right now. It's more of a worry to public health officials monitoring these new viruses that have the potential for causing outbreaks."