It’s not a new disease at all, headline is slightly misleading. It’s a well known type of herpes virus that circulates in rhesus monkeys wherever they’re found. It’s similar to the human herpes virus that causes cold sores, but is far more dangerous in a human than a monkey, because it’s much more likely to travel to the brain (human herpes viruses can do this too, just not as commonly). It’s been known of since at least 1932. It can be spread by close contact with rhesus monkeys. Lab workers have died from this when working with them in animal experiments, and personal protective equipment is worn when interacting with rhesus monkeys now. It doesn’t really spread human to human, partly because if you get it you have an 80% chance of death. For monkeys, it’s much more benign and usually just causes cold sore type things.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_virus

This is just the first time it’s been seen in a human in Hong Kong specifically, not the first time in a human in general, not even close. So if anything kind of the opposite of what you’re thinking. Anyways, just don’t touch rhesus monkeys and you’ll be fine. And if one ever bites or scratches you somehow get that thoroughly cleaned immediately and talk to a doctor. Herpes antivirals like acyclovir might be partially effective for it.

This was the first person to contract the disease in Hong Kong. The first case in the world was in New York.

A billion people is probably the primary thing, and a large portion of the geography has a climate that’s pretty ripe for diseases to flourish.

Tbf, the US just had two people contract avian flu from cows. This kind of thing can happen anywhere.

Nice try, Guybrush!