Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: August 5, 2005
Contact: Robert Marshall, PhD 222-1017

CDC Releases Guidelines on Human LCMV and “Pocket Pets”
Highlights Young Children, Pregnant Women and People with Weakened Immunity

Today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released new guidelines for minimizing the risk of human infection with Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV). The guidelines advise pregnant women and people with impaired immune system function to limit contact with rodents—including “pocket pets” such as hamsters and guinea pigs. CDC also advises close supervision of young children during handling, feeding or caring for pet rodents—especially for assistance with hand washing after touching pets, cages or bedding.

Normally a mild, self-limiting disease in humans, the risks of LCMV infection came to light last May, when public health officials in Rhode Island and Massachusetts announced the results of an investigation into the deaths of three recent recipients of organ transplants (2-MA/1-RI) due to LCMV infection. In cooperation with the New England Organ Bank and the CDC, the infection was traced back to a RI donor who died from unrelated causes.

The source of the infection appeared to involve exposure to the urine or feces of a pet hamster. At least one pet at the donor’s residence tested positive for LCMV, as did other rodents at the retail pet store where it was purchased. All LCMV-positive animals came from a single, out-of-state, wholesale, pet distributor. The investigation of pocket pet distribution is ongoing by CDC and the US Department of Agriculture. Dr. Christopher Hannafin, DVM, the RI State Veterinarian, on July 29 banned any shipments into the state of rodent pets from the affected distributor. This followed an advisory from CDC that pet stores cease the shipment, sale and distribution of pet rodents from the affected distributor. Local pet stores discontinued business with this distributor and must register any new suppliers by seeking permits from the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM). As a precautionary measure, DEM on Tuesday quarantined all rodents currently in the state that originated from the affected distributor.

“In May we advised pregnant women in the first and second trimester of pregnancy to limit exposure to rodent urine or feces,” said David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of Health. “The new CDC guidelines not only reinforce that advice, but offer useful information about choosing and caring for pet rodents and keeping our families safe and healthy.”

For a copy of the CDC guidelines, general information on LCMV and pocket pets go to: http://www.health.ri.gov/topics/lcmv.php. For general information, pregnant women or families with young children in households with pet rodents may call the Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7434, (Monday – Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm). If you have specific clinical problems, contact your own personal health care provider. For animal–related questions contact the DEM Division of Agriculture at 401-222-2781 during regular business hours or go to: http://www.dem.state.ri.us/topics/agricult.htm