From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2003-07-07 20:27:04 UTC
Subject: monkey pox information the FDA wants gotten out to people
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Cc: dmarsh10@COLUMBUS.RR.COM
Message-id: <a06001801bb2f7c9f4e53@[10.0.1.18]>
The FDA had asked Steve and Cheryl to get these pieces of information
out there pretty widely so they have made these URLs available with
all of the information which the FDA gave them and asked them to
distribute. You will notice that the FDA and CDC are taking a
"better safe than sorry" approach -- not knowing for absolutely
certain what mammals may be vulnerable, though only rodents and
primates are so far known for certain to be vulnerable. On the other
hand, they are not going overboard and you will read of infected
animals who recovered and of 30 day at home quarantines for exposed
animals not known to be sick.
http://www.sjferret.com/joint_order.htm
is the joint order of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human
Services
"Notice of embargo and prohibition on transportation or offering for
transportation in interstate commerce, or sale, offering for sale; or
offering fur any other type of commercial or public distribution,
including release into the environment, of certain rodents and
prairie dogs." and does not affect ferrets or ferret people except
for the few individuals or shelters having these rodents: "Prairie
dogs and the following rodents from Africa: Tree squirrels
(Neliosciurus sp.); Rope squirrels (Funiscinrus sp, ); Donnices
(Grnphiurus sp. ); Gambian Giant Pouched Rats (Cricelomys sd.);
Brush-tailed porcupines (Atherurus sp. ), Striped mice {tlybomys
sp.).". For more details, see the website.
http://www.sjferret.com/fact.htm
is the pet owners' fact sheet. There seem to be conflicting opinions
out there whether or not these governmental groups are afraid that
ferrets, dogs, cats, etc. may be vulnerable to the illness. My
suspicion is that the conflicting statements maybe because 1. This
disease is not so far known outside rodents and primates (as far as I
can find) BUT 2. There has not been a challenge done to know for
sure so better safe than sorry -- at least that is my second-hand
take from what folks have relayed to me. Meanwhile there is a risk
that if it got loose in the U.S. it could find a reservoir in native
rodents so it does need to be contained. So, read this to be sure to
have the info. It includes: "There is concern that monkeypox might
have spread more broadly to other animals housed together in pet
stores, other animal facilities, and "pet swap" meets. CDC has issued
guidelines for pet owners so that they can be on the lookout for
monkeypox symptoms"...
"Public health experts are looking for signs of monkeypox in "exotic
mammalian pets," including prairie dogs, Gambian giant rats, and rope
squirrels. However, other animals that have been in contact with
infected member of these species could be of concern also. The first
exposure to ill animals was reported to have /happened or, or after
April 15, 2003. If you acquired an exotic mammalian pet (or if your
peg was exposed to an ill exotic mammalian pet) on or after April 75
and is now sick, it is possible they /might have monkeypox."
Symptoms noted in the website:
"fever
cough
discharge from the eyes (eyes may appear cloudy or crusty)
swelling in the limbs from enlarged lymph nodes
a bumpy or blister-like rash.
Pets that have monkeypox also may appear to be very tired and may not
be eating or drinking"
It goes on to say what should be done. Note that these symptoms
taken individually can be caused by other things, also note that in
some ways it resembles descriptions of canine distemper.
For those pets who have been exposed but are not showing illness:
"If your pet has potentially been exposed to monkeypox, but is not
showing symptoms of the disease, it still needs to be watched for
signs of illness. Exposure is defined as living in the same house
with, or coming from the same pet store or other pet facility as, an
animal known to have monkeypox. Your pet must he observed for 30 days
to be certain it is not infected. This can be done in the home." It
then goes on to tell how to do this safely.
http://www.sjferret.com/guidelines.htm
covers "Monkeypox Infections in Animals: Interim Guidance for Persons
Who Have Frequent Contact with Animals, Including Pet Owners, Pet
Shop Employees, Animal Handlers, and Animal Control Officers"
including "In the current U.S. outbreak, illness in animals has been
reported to include fever, cough, discharge from the eyes, and
enlarged lymph nodes, followed by a bumpy or blister-like rash. Some
animals have died and others have recovered. The types of animals
that may become ill with monkeypox are currently unknown. Until more
information is available, it is prudent to assume that any mammal,
including common household pets (e.g., dogs, cats) and "pocket pets"
%e.g., hamsters or gerbils), can get monkeypox if exposed to another
animal that is infected."
http://www.sjferret.com/questions_answers.htm
Has a Q&A on monkeypox.
These sites also note:
"For help in contacting your local or state health department, visit
www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states."
For more information, visit lvvww.cdc.gov/ncidod/monkeypox or call
the CDC public response hotline at (888) 246-2675 (English), (888)
246-2857 (Espanol), or (866) 874-2646 (TTY)"
"For more information, contact the state or local health department
or the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100. Additional
information and recommendations will be released as they become
available. Updated information will be available at www.cdc.gov."
"For more information, visit Iwww.cdc.govJncidodJmonkeypox or call
the CDC public response hotline at (888) 246-2675 (English), (888)
246-2857 (Espanol), or (866) 874-2646 (TTY)"
These sites contain practical health care information and are NOT
scary to read, so, please, do read them.
Here are two other useful sites:
CDC on monkeypox and pets:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/monkeypox/petownerfacts.htm
and
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/monkeypox/petshopownfacts.htm
MANY THANKS to Steve and Cheryl who got this information up in an
easily read format to help folks.