Herpes Scientist Dies; Got Viral Fluid in Eye

An animal research worker has died of a rare herpes B infection after contaminated fluid landed in her eye as she peered into the cage of an infected monkey, doctors said. The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, worked at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center; she is the first known person to contract a virus through an eye. She was treated after the incident six weeks ago and was hospitalized two weeks later when she developed weakness in her legs. Herpes B viral infection is common in macaque monkeys. It is rare but usually fatal in humans.