| Monkeypox
Virus |
| |
June 16,
2003
Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Health Advisory
Issued |
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| Agency
Directive: |
| Order related
to trade of African rodents to preclude spread
of Monkeypox |
| |
| Background |
Monkeypox
is a rare viral disease that is found mostly
in the rainforest countries of central and
west Africa. The disease is called "monkeypox" because
it was first discovered in laboratory monkeys
in 1958. Blood tests of animals in Africa
later found evidence of monkeypox infection
in various rodent species. In early June
2003, monkeypox was reported among several
residents in the United States who became
ill after having contact with sick pet prairie
dogs that originated in a pet store in Chicago.
This is the first evidence of community-acquired
monkeypox in the United States.
As of June 14, a total of 81 persons with suspected monkeypox had been
reported in Wisconsin (34), Illinois (19), Indiana (26), and Ohio (2).
Monkeypox had been confirmed by laboratory tests in nine persons. At least
14 of the people with suspected monkeypox had been hospitalized for their
illness; there have been no deaths related to the outbreak. There is one
potential case in a person in Arizona who was bitten by a prairie dog in
Texas; test results are pending. |
| |
| Directive
from The Center for Disease Control and The
Food and Drug Administration |
| On June 11,
2003, CDC and FDA issued a joint order announcing
an immediate embargo on the importation of
all rodents from Africa due to the potential
that these rodents can spread monkeypox virus
infection to other animals and to humans.
The joint order also banned within the United
States any sale, offering for distribution,
transport, or release into the wild, of prairie
dogs and six specific African rodent species
implicated in the current monkeypox outbreak.
The six species from Africa are: Tree squirrels
(Heliosciurus sp.), Rope squirrels (Funisciurus
sp.), Dormice (Graphiurus sp.), Gambian Giant
Pouched Rats (Cricetomys sp.), Brush-tailed
porcupines (Atherurus sp.), and Striped mice
(Hybomys sp.). The joint order applies to
animals that are living or dead. Individuals
may only transport prairie dogs and the six
specified rodents from Africa to veterinarians
or animal control officials. |
| |
| Clinical
Sign in Humans |
In humans,
monkeypox is similar to smallpox, although
it is often milder. Unlike smallpox, monkeypox
causes lymph nodes to swell. The incubation
period for monkeypox is about 12 days (range
7 to 17 days). The illness begins with
fever, headache, muscle aches, backache,
swollen lymph nodes, a general feeling
of discomfort, and exhaustion. Within 1
to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the
appearance of fever, the patient develops
a papular rash (i.e., raised bumps), often
first on the face but sometimes initially
on other parts of the body. The lesions
usually develop through several stages
before crusting and falling off. |
| |
| Arizona
Game and Fish Action |
| All personnel
need to be aware of this order and if any
African rodents, particularly those listed
in this advisory, are observed in pet stores
you need to contact: Elisabeth Lawaczeck,
DVM State Public Health Veterinarian Office
of Infectious Diseases Services Arizona Department
of Health Services 602-230-5820 |
| |
| For
more information |
| More information
on the current monkeypox outbreak in the
Midwest can be obtained at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/monkeypox/index.htm |
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