NEWS RELEASE
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@...


For immediate release: June 18, 2003

Some "Pocket Pets" Under Close Scrutiny,
Federal Movement Prohibitions
To Stop Monkeypox Outbreak

Working in concert with federal and state agencies, Texas animal health
officials are alerting pet owners and distributors to comply with a federal
emergency order issued Wednesday, June 11, prohibiting all sales,
interstate movement and most intrastate movement of prairie dogs and
several specific species of rodents. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the
embargo to prevent the potential spread of monkeypox, a foreign virus that
may have infected more than 70 persons in Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois and
New Jersey. Health officials believe the virus was introduced into the U.S.
by infected Gambian giant pouched rats imported from Africa in April for
sale as companion animals. To date, no monkeypox cases in humans or animals
have been confirmed in Texas.

"Investigations are still underway, but federal and state human health and
veterinary epidemiologists theorize the imported Gambian rats may have
spread monkeypox to a group of American prairie dogs that had been captured
for the pet trade. The animals were distributed to new owners, mostly in
northern states. By May, several persons had developed the rashes, fever
and sores indicative of the disease," commented Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas'
state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC),
the state's regulatory agency for animal health. He noted that it is the
first time monkeypox has diagnosed in the U.S.

"With the Gambian rats and prairie dogs now suspected in this disease
outbreak, it complicates the eradication effort, and makes it even more
important that everyone obey movement prohibitions. Several other species
of foreign rodents also may harbor or be susceptible to the virus, so the
federal embargo covers Gambian rats, tree squirrels, rope squirrels,
dormice, brush-tailed porcupines and striped mice, and prohibits the
importation of all rodents from Africa."

"If you have owned one of these species of animals for several months, and
it appears to be healthy, there is probably little risk that the animal has
monkeypox. Likewise, we do not believe that the wild prairie dog
population has been endangered," stressed Dr. Hillman. "However, do not
release any of these captive species into the wild. If the animal has been
exposed to monkeypox and is set free, it could potentially spread the virus
to our native species."

"In susceptible animals, monkeypox can cause eye irritation, fever, and
lesions. If you have a sick animal or are apprehensive about retaining
captive prairie dogs or the other susceptible species, contact your private
veterinary practitioner. The federal embargo allows for owners to
transport their animals intrastate for veterinary care, but not for sale,
swap meets or any other distribution. As a biosecurity measure, dead
prairie dogs or other susceptible species should be incinerated, so that
free-ranging rodents will not have contact with the carcasses."

"The Texas Animal Health Commission does not ordinarily regulate the health
issues of prairie dogs and exotic pet animals, but we are charged with
protecting the state against foreign animal disease," said Dr. Hillman. "In
this case, monkeypox is not only a danger to pets, but to owners, and to
several of our wildlife species. We are providing any assistance and
support possible to the Texas Department of Health (TDH) and other state
and federal agencies that are working as a team, under the direction of the
CDC, FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture," he said.

Dr. Hillman said that TAHC animal health inspectors and veterinarians have
assisted the USDA by visiting pet dealers and distributors to trace the
movement of prairie dogs and other susceptible species of animals. TAHC
representatives also have issued several temporary hold orders, restricting
animal movements while the disease investigation is being conducted.

"If you may think you have been exposed to monkeypox, contact your
physician," said Dr. Hillman. "The TDH and CDC have developed human health
guidelines and are working with physicians to ensure appropriate medical
care for persons who may have been exposed to or infected with this foreign
disease."

More information about monkeypox may be obtained on the CDC's website at:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/monkeypox/index.htm

The FDA's website is at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/monkeypox.html.


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