Free Republic

Monkeypox, a viral disease related to smallpox but less infectious and deadly, has been detected for the first time in the Western Hemisphere. Three Midwestern states, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, reported at least 19 monkeypox cases over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Wisconsin reported the vast majority, 17, with Illinois and Indiana reporting one each. The patients ranged in age from 4 to 48 years, and all had had contact with direct or close contact with ill prairie dogs, which have become a common household pet. Several patients work for veterinarians or pet stores that...

At least 19 people in three Midwestern states have contracted a disease related to smallpox, marking the first outbreak of the life-threatening illness in the United States, federal heath officials said yesterday. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, concerned that the illness could spread, issued a nationwide alert to doctors and public health officials to be on the lookout for more cases. "We have an outbreak," said James Hughes, director of the CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases in Atlanta. "I'd like to keep it relatively small. I don't want any more cases. We're doing everything we can...

By The Associated Press (6/07/03 - MADISON, WI) — A virus related to smallpox that has never been detected in the Western Hemisphere may be the cause of a mysterious disease spreading from pet prairie dogs to people across the upper Midwest, health officials said Saturday. Sign up for free E-witness News Arsenal of weapons found in girl's bedroom; four teens arrested Watch for construction closures on Houston roads this weekend Fire erupts at plant on Ship Channel Driver flees scene after fiery accident kills his passenger Argument in strip center parking lot turns into deadly shooting Three-alarm strip center...

<p>Wisconsin health officials ordered a ban Friday on the sale, importation and display of prairie dogs after a dozen people were sickened from exposure to the animals.</p> <p>Health officials said all 12 people in Wisconsin had recovered or were getting better, although three remained in a suburban Milwaukee hospital Friday in satisfactory condition. Two other people were sickened in Illinois.</p>

Infected prairie dogs traced to Villa Park distributor June 8, 2003 BY COURTNEY K. WADE Staff Reporter A distributor in suburban Chicago appears to be the source for a smallpox-related virus spreading from pet prairie dogs to people in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Saturday. The virus is believed to be transmitted to humans by infected prairie dogs and Gambian rats. This is the first time the virus, similar to monkeypox common in Africa, has been found in the Western hemisphere. By Saturday, Wisconsin reported 17 human cases, mostly affecting residents in...