[Gpdd] Announcement- News Article

[CatChickie at aol.com]

FYI
Full story here: _ClickOnDetroit.com  - News - State Bans Shipments Of Pet 
Rodents From Ohio Facility_ 
(http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/4823966/detail.html)  
There is also a link on this web page about LCMV
~Cat, Cookie and Zelda
 
 
State Bans Shipments Of Pet Rodents From Ohio  Facility
Health Officials Think Risk To Michigan  Residents Low
POSTED: 4:29 pm EDT August 8, 2005
LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan banned shipments of pet mice, hamsters and guinea 
pigs from Ohio on  Monday because they could be infected with a disease 
harmful to unborn children  and people with weakened immune systems.  
The state Department of Community Health issued the public health order  
after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said rodents infected  
with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, or LCMV, were shipped from an Ohio pet 
 distribution center to stores in Michigan and other states.  
Health officials think the general risk to Michigan residents is low but  
warned that pregnant women and people with weakened immune system are at risk.  
LCMV infection is rare in humans and there is no indication that any  
Michigan residents have contracted the illness, said Dr. Dean Sienko, the  state's 
acting chief medical executive.  
"Our primary goal is to protect those vulnerable citizens that may have  come 
in contact with infected rodents," Sienko said.  
The virus is blamed in the deaths of three New England organ recipients.  
Health officials believe the organ donor caught the virus from her pet hamster,  
and it was transmitted to the organ recipients.  
Michigan's order bars the sale or display of rodents from pet stores that  
received animals from Mid-South Distributors starting as early as February. It  
also covers rodents that shared cages, water bottles, food, bedding and toys  
with potentially infected animals.  
Pet stores will be required to clean and disinfect all cages or other  
holding areas, and take steps to ensure future cross-contamination doesn't  occur.  
The order will be lifted after state health officials determine no risk  
remains.  
The virus isn't normally found in pet rodents, but they can be infected  if 
they come into contact with wild mice.  
The state health department urged owners of pet rodents to take the  
following precautions to reduce the risk of infection:  
Wash hands with soap and water after handling rodents or after cleaning up  
pet droppings;  Clean cages and bedding in a well-ventilated area or outside;  
Make sure young children wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water;  Do 
not kiss pet rodents or hold them close to your face.