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The CDC notified IDPH Saturday that a
tissue sample from an Illinois resident is consistent with a "monkeypox-like"
virus. Symptoms of the viral disease are fever, a vesicular or
pustular rash, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches.
"The state is aggressively working to
notify individuals who may have had exposure to sick prairie dogs in
Illinois and to provide these people with guidance," said Dr. Eric
E. Whitaker, state public health director. "The state is working
with the CDC, the pet store owner, other state agencies and local
health authorities to determine how the animals may have become
infected."
The primary spread of the illness
appears to be close contact between infected prairie dogs and
humans. Signs of illness in prairie dogs include fever, swollen
lymph nodes, blisters, conjunctivitis and eye discharge.
The ill person -- who had a fever and
rash, was not hospitalized and is recovering -- had close contact
with prairie dogs, gambian rats and other exotic animals from Phil's
Pocket Pets, a U.S. Department of Agriculture-licensed dealer in
Villa Park (DuPage County). As a precaution, IDA has prohibited this
dealer from selling animals in Illinois or elsewhere until the
health of such animals and the safety of purchasers can be assured.
The store owner has provided the state
with a list of all those who purchased prairie dogs, gambian rats
and other exotic animals since April 15. The departments of Public
Health and Agriculture are working with the Illinois State Police to
contact those individuals. IDA also is conducting additional
investigations to determine the sources of the animals and what
stores purchased these animals.
"Owners of prairie dogs that show signs
of illness should not take their animals to a veterinarian," said
IDA State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Hull. "No treatment is available
for animals with this disease, and moving them only will increase
the number of people and animals that are exposed to it."
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Dr. Hull recommends that pet owners
isolate and minimize their contact with ill prairie dogs, gambian
rats or any other exotic animal that may have been purchased from
this store and notify the Illinois Department of Agriculture of the
sick animal.
Residents also should take the
following precautions until more information becomes available:
--Wash hands thoroughly or use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer after any contact with prairie dogs and
other exotic animals and their immediate environment.
--Seek medical attention if you develop
symptoms such as fever, cough, rash or swollen lymph nodes within
three weeks after contact with prairie dogs, gambian rats or other
exotic animals. Physicians should promptly report any cases of
illnesses consistent with these symptoms to their local health
department.
--Veterinarians should wear gloves and
N-95 surgical masks when handling prairie dogs and report suspected
cases of the disease to the Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Health. Any suspicious illness in gambian rats,
rabbits, exotic animals or non-human primates should be reported to
the local health department and Illinois Department of Agriculture.
The Illinois Department of Public
Health will release additional information and recommendations as
they become available.
For links to
monkeypox information, go to
http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/infect/
monkeypox.htm.
[Illinois
Department of Public Health
news release]
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