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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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Monkeypox Home
Press Release
| July 3, 2003 |
Contact: CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286 |
CDC Confirms Monkeypox in Rodents
Interim Recommendations Aim to Curb Further Spread
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the
presence of monkeypox virus in one Gambian giant rat, three dormice, and two
rope squirrels. The animals were part of a shipment of African rodents
imported to the United States on April 9, 2003. This shipment is believed to
be the source of the current U.S. outbreak of monkeypox. As a result, CDC
has issued guidance on the quarantine and euthanasia of all animals from the
shipment, as well as prairie dogs from the United States that were exposed
to the imported species or with other animals suspected to have monkeypox.
These recommendations aim to prevent further spread of the monkeypox virus
to humans and other animals.
“The goal is to protect people, pets and wildlife in the United States,
by preventing the monkeypox virus from spreading or becoming established
permanently,” said Dr. Martin Cetron, deputy director of the CDC’s global
migration and quarantine programs.
CDC, along with other federal agencies and state and local and health
departments, is investigating 81 suspect and probable human cases of monkey
pox. Thirty-two of those cases have been confirmed by laboratory testing.
As part of the emergency response to the monkeypox outbreak, CDC
previously recommended that states place quarantines or hold orders on
commercial or residential premises housing infected animals that had either
been shipped from Ghana on April 9 or had been exposed to other animals with
monkeypox. The newly released guidelines call for euthanizing these animals.
All other animals on affected premises should be monitored for monkeypox and
complete a six-week quarantine period starting from the time that the
African rodents and the prairie dogs are destroyed.
While in quarantine, animals should be separated from people and either
locked in a room or put in a cage or other suitable container. During this
period, animals should be monitored for signs of illness including fever,
cough, discharge from the eyes (eyes may appear cloudy or crusty), swelling
in the limbs from enlarged lymph nodes, or a blister-like rash.
“These measures are essential in order to effectively address this public
health issue,” Dr. Cetron said. “This truly collaborative effort requires
the support of public health officials, the pet industry, and pet owners to
successfully contain this outbreak.”
On June 11, 2003, CDC and FDA issued a joint order prohibiting the
importation of six African rodent species (Tree squirrels, Rope squirrels,
Dormice, Gambian giant pouched rats, Brushed-tailed porcupines and Striped
mice) as well as the sale, transport, and distribution of prairie dogs and
the six types of African rodents implicated in the current monkeypox
outbreak. The joint order also prohibits releasing infected or ill prairie
dogs or any other animals that may be infected with monkeypox virus into the
wild or disposing euthanized animals in landfills. Instead, pet distributors
or owners should contact state health departments or departments of
agriculture for guidance on the disposition of animals.
More information is available at the CDC web site:
www.cdc.gov.
# # #
CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and
controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing
credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living
through strong partnerships with local, national, and international
organizations.
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