Ahead of Print - Outbreak of Vaccinia Virus Infection from Occupational Exposure, China, 2017 - Volume 25, Number 6—June 2019 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC

Ahead of Print - Outbreak of Vaccinia Virus Infection from Occupational Exposure, China, 2017 - Volume 25, Number 6—June 2019 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC

Volume 25, Number 6—June 2019

Dispatch

Outbreak of Vaccinia Virus Infection from Occupational Exposure, China, 2017

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The Study

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More articles on Vaccine, Immunization

Bin Lu1, Lun-Biao Cui1, Min-Hua Gu, Chao Shi, Chuan-Wu Sun, Kang-Chen Zhao, Jun Bi, Zhong-Ming Tan, Xi-Ling Guo, Xiang Huo, and Chang-Jun Bao 

Author affiliations: Wuxi Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi, China (B. Lu, C. Shi); Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China (L.-B. Cui, K.-C. Zhao, Z-M. Tan, X.-L. Guo, X. Huo, C.-J. Bao); Jiangyin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi (M.-H. Gu); Xuzhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xuzhou, China (C.-W. Sun, J. Bi)

Suggested citation for this article

Abstract

Human infections with vaccinia virus (VACV), mostly from laboratory accidents or contact with infected animals, have occurred since smallpox was eradicated in 1980. No recent cases have been reported in China. We report on an outbreak of VACV from occupational exposure to rabbit skins inoculated with VACV.

Vaccinia virus (VACV; genus Orthopoxvirus [OPV]) is used as a lyophilized live virus vaccine against smallpox, variola virus (1). VACV, cowpox virus, and monkeypox virus are OPVs of concern because of pathogenicity in humans, possible adverse effects in vulnerable populations, potential spread and introduction in other areas, and public health burden (2). After smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, mandatory routine vaccination was suspended worldwide, including in China (3). Immunological cross-reaction herd immunity to OPVs also subsided. Those who might have contact with OPVs often receive VACV vaccination, including those collecting OPV samples, responding to outbreaks, treating patients, or handling OPVs in the laboratory, as well as military personnel, especially in the United States.

Human infections with OPVs frequently emerge or reemerge, including cowpox virus in Europe (4), monkeypox virus in Africa and North America (5), buffalopox in India (6), and VACV in South America (7), especially in Brazil (8). Most human cases have occurred from occupational exposure to infected animals or laboratory accidents, such as needle sticks or eye splashes (9). No human cases of VACV infection have been reported in China in recent decades.