SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

As of June 10, a total of 50 persons with suspected monkeypox had been reported from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and New Jersey. Monkeypox had been confirmed by laboratory tests in four persons. Seven of the people with suspected monkeypox had been hospitalized for their illness; there have been no deaths related to the outbreak. The number of cases and States involved in the outbreak will likely change as the investigation continues.

Onset of illness among patients began in early May. All patients reported direct or close contact with Prairie dogs, most of which were sick. In May, the Prairie dogs were sold by a Milwaukee animal distributor to two pet shops in the Milwaukee area and during a pet “swap meet” (pets for sale or exchange) in northern Wisconsin. The Milwaukee animal distributor had obtained Prairie dogs and a Gambian giant rat that was ill at the time from a northern Illinois animal distributor. On the basis of preliminary findings from the trace-back investigation of the Prairie dogs and the Gambian giant rat, it appears that the source of the infection was a shipment of rodents from Africa, which included six distinct species of rodents. It appears that the primary route of transmission may be from infected rodents from Africa to native Prairie dogs and then to humans as a result of close contact.

II. Public Health Risks

Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic viral disease that occurs primarily in the rain forest countries of central and west Africa. Studies have shown that rodents from Africa are capable of transmitting monkeypox virus in humans. In humans, the illness produces a vesicular and pustular rash similar to that of smallpox. Limited person-to-person spread of infection has been reported in disease-endemic areas in Africa; the incubation period is about 12 days. Case-fatality ratios in Africa have ranged from 1 percent to 10 percent. It is likely the virus entered the United States via imported rodent species from Africa. Further transmission of the virus likely occurred in the storage and handling of these imported rodents during sale and distribution within the United States. This resulted in secondary transmission to domestic Prairie dogs housed in the same animal-holding facility or pet shop.

III. Immediate Action

Introduction of exotic species, such as rodents from Africa, poses a serious public health threat because of the potential of human monkeypox virus infection. Transportation in interstate commerce or sale or any other type of commercial or public distribution, including release into the environment, of species of rodents linked to the initial ( printed page 36567) infected shipment and Prairie dogs poses a serious public health threat because of the potential for further spread of the monkeypox virus to other species and humans.

The scope of this communicable disease problem is inherently and necessarily an interstate problem that cannot be controlled by individual state health authorities. Thus, the appropriate measures taken by the health authorities of any state or possession are insufficient to prevent the interstate spread of human monkeypox virus infection. Accordingly, CDC and FDA, pursuant to42 CFR 70.2 and21 CFR 1240.30, are prohibiting, until further notice, the transportation or offering for transportation in interstate commerce, or the sale, offering for sale, or offering for any other type of commercial or public distribution, including release into the environment, of Prairie dogs and the following rodents from Africa: Tree squirrels (Heliosciurus sp.); Rope squirrels (Funisciurus sp.); Dormices (Graphiurus sp.); Gambian Giant Pouched Rats (Cricetomys sp.); Brush-tailed porcupines (Atherurus sp.), Striped mice (Hybomys sp.).

This prohibition does not apply to individuals who transport listed animals to veterinarians or animal control officials or other entities pursuant to guidance or instructions issued by Federal, State, or local government authorities. In addition, pursuant to42 CFR 71.32(b), CDC is implementing an immediate embargo on the importation of all rodents from Africa (orderRodentia).

[FR Doc. 03-15423 Filed 6-13-03; 5:07 pm]

BILLING CODE 4160-01-P