What type of exposure is primarily a risk for acquiring the B-virus?

The primary risk for acquiring the B-virus from macaques is through the bite of an infected macaque. This zoonotic virus, which can cause serious neurological disease in humans, is predominantly transmitted through direct bites or scratches from infected animals. Macaques can carry the B-virus in their saliva, and if a bite occurs, the potential for transmission increases significantly due to the introduction of the virus directly into the bloodstream or mucous membranes of an individual.

While contact with infected materials or laboratory equipment and even using unprotected hands could pose some risk, the bite of a macaque represents a direct and more acute transmission route. Other methods of exposure, such as handling infected materials or using unprotected hands, are significant but are generally considered secondary to the danger presented by a direct bite. Understanding this transmission pathway is essential for reinforcing safety protocols when dealing with primates in research or veterinary settings.