A case of Monkeypox in a baby monkey

Abstract

Despite having a low fatality rate in monkeys, monkeypox remains an important disease because of its zoonotic potential. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, pathological, ultrastructural and virological findings of the first monkeypox case diagnosed in a baby monkey in Türkiye with unknown transmission. A monkeypox infection was detected in a 1-month-old, female, baby monkey born in Antalya Zoo and died with skin lesions. It was reported that the baby's mother did not care for and caregivers took care of the cub, and skin lesions on the hands of the caregivers and responsible veterinarian were reported. Necropsy, histopathology, electron microscopy and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test were performed. Typical cutaneous and pulmonary poxvirus finding in a baby monkey was described in this case. CAM results firstly reported in a monkeypox case. Because of the zoonotic potential of illness, monkey colonies, particularly in zoos, must be controlled with vigilance. This is the first monkeypox report in a baby monkey in Türkiye.