For immediate release:
June 13, 2003

Several key state departments are working together to identify and contact individuals and groups who could play a role in recognizing or preventing monkeypox. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri Department of Agriculture are coordinating their efforts to ensure they utilize all available resources, and that any possible case in the state is investigated and controlled quickly and efficiently.

Representatives from state agencies met Thursday and outlined the following actions:

• The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is asking health departments in each county to contact pet distributors in their areas to provide them with information about monkeypox, including signs and symptoms to watch for in animals and whom to contact if they have questions or concerns.
• DHSS is also asking local health departments to actively survey pet distributors in their areas on an ongoing basis in a search for any possible ill animals.
• The Department of Agriculture through the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association is contacting veterinarians in the state to give them information about how to handle ill animals, how to report illnesses, how to protect themselves, etc.
• The Agriculture Department is also sending information about monkeypox to its animal health inspectors and area veterinarians so they can be on the lookout for signs of the virus.
• The Conservation Department has offered to make information available through its facilities. The agencies also will work with the Department of Natural Resources to make information available through state parks and other public venues.

Dr. Howard Pue, who directs Veterinary Public Health at DHSS, also has issued an alert for Missourians who have gotten prairie dogs since April 15.

“Anyone who has a prairie dog or other small rodents in their household as pets should be watching their animals for signs of illness,” Pue said.

If your animal has symptoms of monkeypox, contact your veterinarian or your local health department to ensure your animal is properly evaluated,” Pue added.

Pue said symptoms of monkeypox in animals include cold-like symptoms, running or oozing eyes, respiratory disease and rash. He noted that a rash can be identified by petting the animal and feeling for small bumps.

Pue added that people bringing their ill animals to their veterinarian should contact the veterinarian beforehand so the appropriate measures can be taken in the veterinary office to avoid exposing a potentially sick animal to other animals that may be in the veterinarian’s office.

Pue said that any individual who has had contact with a sick animal should be on the lookout within their family for symptoms of fevers, chills, muscle aches and rash. Pue said if they do develop those symptoms, they should contact their health care provider. Since human-to- human transmission of this disease is possible, Pue said it is advisable first to phone the health care provider or facility for special instructions that will help minimize the spread of infection.

As always, people with pets, particularly those with exotic pets, should always wash their hands after handling their pets, Pue added.

Dr. Taylor Woods, State Veterinarian with the Department of Agriculture, warned that people should not release sick animals into the environment.

“We want to make sure this disease does not spread into the wild animal population,” Woods said.

Pue and Woods also reminded pet owners and dealers of a federal ban on the sale, distribution and transportation of prairie dogs and six African species of rodents. The ban also prohibits people from importing rodents from Africa, where monkeypox is thought to originate.