Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which disease is known to be carried by non-human primates (NHP)?

1. Rabies

2. B virus

3. Tuberculosis

4. Q-fever

The correct answer is: B virus

The disease known to be carried by non-human primates (NHP) is B virus, also known as Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1. This is a significant zoonotic virus that is primarily associated with macaques and can pose serious risks to humans who come into direct contact with these animals or their bodily fluids. While B virus is often asymptomatic in the primates themselves, it can lead to severe neurological disease in humans if infected. Hence, handling or working with NHP requires strict adherence to safety protocols to minimize the risk of transmission. Rabies, while a serious viral disease, is primarily associated with animals like bats, dogs, and certain wild animals, rather than specifically non-human primates. Tuberculosis is indeed present in various forms in many species, including NHP, but it is not exclusive to them and is widely recognized across different animal hosts. Q-fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii and typically is associated with livestock, but it does not have the same direct association with NHP as B virus does.