Monkeypox in Garden State? [New Jersey]

1010 WINS ^ | Jun 10, 2003 | AP

[LurkedLongEnough]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey health officials were awaiting test results Tuesday to determine if a child from the state is infected with monkeypox.

The 11-year-old boy came into contact with a pair of prairie dogs while visiting a family friend in a Midwestern state where the infection has spread, state officials said.

Results on blood and lesion samples from the boy sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected in several days.

Nationally, health officials were working to contain the spread of the monkeypox virus, which is related to smallpox and apparently has never before found in the Western Hemisphere. At least 38 cases of monkeypox are suspected or have been confirmed in three Midwestern states.

The disease in humans is not usually fatal but causes rashes, fevers, chills and sores.

The boy, who was only identified as being from the northern part of New Jersey, became ill with a high fever on May 29 while still out of state. A physician gave him antibiotics and his condition improved.

The fever returned when the boy was on his way back to New Jersey last week. He also became lethargic, lost his appetite and developed blisters on his head, arms and trunk, according to state Health Commissioner Dr. Clifton Lacy.

The child's mother thought the boy might have monkeypox after seeing news reports about the virus. She took him to the doctor who prescribed antiviral medication and ordered the boy to be isolated at home.

The boy's mother and two other family members have not developed symptoms but are being monitored. The CDC said the child should be kept isolated in a separate room.

The state told the physician to sanitize his waiting area and examination room. The doctor and a nurse who came into contact with the boy will also be monitored for symptoms for three weeks.

"While in New Jersey, the child has had limited contact with people outside his family and no other suspected infected individuals have been reported," Lacy said.

Monkeypox occurs mostly in rain forests in the central and western parts of Africa. The prairie dogs in the Midwest may have been infected by an African rat from a pet distributor in Chicago, health officials said.

"This outbreak illustrates the potential health risks posed by owning and handling exotic animals," said Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, the state epidemiologist.

[Calpernia]

Good job! Was just about to post this!

I just got back from my clients officer. While I was configuring his computer systems he told me he had TWO patients that may have monkeypox. Yet this articles is about someone that is NOT his patient!

Coleus, NJ Ping?

[Calpernia]

Wow, bugged eyed from programming, :P Sorry

clients officer = client's office

The other errors can be figured out.

[dc-zoo]

So there may be three cases of monkeypox in NJ if your client is being straight with you.

[Coleus]

West Nile Virus, SARS and Now Monkey Pox!!! What Next??

[Calpernia]

It was the doctor who told me. His office his my client. No names, just two other patients.

So no confidentiality breech.

[Chilijr]

"West Nile Virus, SARS and Now Monkey Pox!!! What Next??"

HILLARY........ The incurable disease!!!

[dc-zoo]

Monkeypox may be spreading faster than is being reported after hearing what your doctor/client revealed.

[Coleus]

Ha, Lol, that's a good one , and you're right...!!!

For those who don't know, the hildebeest is coming to NJ in a month.

Coming Soon to Bookends
http://www.book-ends.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp
Hillary Rodham Clinton Meet Hillary Rodham Clinton as she signs; "Living History" on July 11th, at 3:00 PM. 232 E. Ridgewood Ave. Tel: 201 445-0726

[backhoe]

-Strange new disease outbreaks--

[aristeides]

Monkeypox is viral. So why would antibiotics have improved the boy's condition? Placebo effect?

[aristeides]

Monkeypox cases 'will go up' .

[aristeides]

Safety Net Doesn't Stop Monkeypox: May have slipped through regulatory maze

[Snowy]

Does anyone know that if you get Monkey Pox (usually non-fatal) and survive, are you then immune to smallpox?

[firewalk]

West Nile Virus, SARS and Now Monkey Pox!!! What Next??

You have to ask? lol

good morning

[LurkedLongEnough]

CDC Website: "...Smallpox vaccine has been reported to reduce the risk of monkeypox among previously vaccinated persons in Africa. The potential role of smallpox vaccine in persons who have been exposed to monkeypox is being assessed. Antiviral drugs, such as cidofovir, are being evaluated for the treatment of monkeypox."

[LurkedLongEnough]

What Next??

Tom Daschle's book about overwhelming sadness?

[vetvetdoug]

There are secondary bacterial infections in the lungs and skin when one is infected with MKX. Those pustules or eruptions are throughout the body and they are optimum sites for bacterial infections.

[firewalk]

(-:

[Petronski]

Monkeypox is viral. So why would antibiotics have improved the boy's condition? Placebo effect?

Here's a thought: if he was so weakened by monkeypox that he suffered further infections that exploited his weakness, then knocking down those other problems with antibiotics might leave his immune system free to fight the pox more aggressively.