From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-07-08 03:34:37 UTC
Subject: RE: monkey pox information the FDA wants gotten out to people
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1506329.1057635277954.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
FHL'ers
Last week, I collaborated on a site for human pathologists on monkeypox (http://www.afip.org/Departments/infectious/mp/index.html).
While the CDC (and most non-veterinarians) often take a very wide stance, there is no evidence, in over 30 years of monkeypox literature, of infection or transmission of the disease by animals other than monkeys (the natural host) and rodents (the natural reservoir).
The chance of a ferret transmitting this disease, in my opinion, is negligible - I would hate to see the natural suspicion of physicians become widespread in the ferret-owning community, so take the CDC site with a grain of salt.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
Author wrote:
> 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.