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CNN Saturday Morning News

Weekend House Call: Monkeypox

Aired June 14, 2003 - 08:29   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: First it was West Nile Virus, then SARS and now it's Monkeypox. What is it? Where has it hit? And can you catch it? That's the real question.
We will answer those questions today on Weekend House Call.

CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is joining us with all of the details.

A lot of people are really talking about this because they're hearing more and more about it.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, and it just seems like there's another infection -- another emerging infectious disease every day.

COLLINS: Yes.

COHEN: There's SARS, there's West Nile and now there's Monkeypox. Well, we're going to learn all about it this morning. Actually, a lot has happened since we first heard of Monkeypox a week ago. The disease is now in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and New Jersey. The government has tried to stop the spread of the disease by banning the sale of prairie dogs, but the number of cases still continues to grow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN (voice-over): Here are the culprits, pet prairie dogs suspected of spreading Monkeypox to people in four states, including possibly to children at a daycare center at a private home in Indiana. At the center, the children played with prairie dogs who later became ill and died. Now, one child is in the hospital and some 16 others have recovered from symptoms of Monkeypox. The Centers for Disease Control is doing tests on the children's blood.

And in Wisconsin, a different type of outbreak. Three people may have contracted Monkeypox not from animals, but from other people. Two health care workers, a nurse at this hospital and a medical assistant at a dermatologist's office may have contracted the disease from their patients with Monkeypox. And the nurse's boyfriend may have Monkeypox, too. Wisconsin health officials, however, say they doubt any of them has Monkeypox. Specimens from all three have been sent to the CDC and results could be ready Saturday.

If they really do have Monkeypox... DR. STEVE OSTROFF, CDC: It's very important to point out this is fully expected.

COHEN: Monkeypox spreads person to person in Africa, where it kills up to 10 percent of its victims. The disease is not expected to be as deadly in the United States, where there are 85 cases under investigation, 13 of which have been laboratory confirmed. Some have been hospitalized, but no one has died. Not as deadly because people in the United States who might have been exposed to Monkeypox are being offered the smallpox vaccine. The two diseases are closely related.

(on camera): Since Monkeypox does spread person to person, could it spread around the globe? Could there be another SARS type epidemic? CDC officials say probably not.

(voice-over): That's because while Monkeypox does spread person to person, it doesn't usually spread person to person to person.

OSTROFF: This isn't a virus that's particularly well adapted to transmission from human to human. So even if we do see cases like this occurring, after one or possibly two or three generations of this, it tends to burn itself out in humans. And so we don't think that this would be a continuous or ongoing problem.

COHEN: And how do you know if you have Monkeypox? Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, rash, and large lymph nodes and exposure to exotic animals, like prairie dogs or to a person with Monkeypox. So, if you haven't been playing with one of these recently, or don't know anyone who has, then there's probably no way you have Monkeypox.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN: Here's how Monkeypox virus can be transmitted. In the U.S. outbreak, it appears that most victims have caught the virus through close contact with sick animals. Most handled the animals and were bitten or had breaks in their skin.

Now, of course, as we just said, you can catch it from another person, as well, especially if that person has sores. The incubation period is about 12 days and it starts with a fever, headache, body ache and chills, swollen lymph nodes and sometimes a cough. This is followed one to 10 days later by a rash with pustules that eventually crust over. They can occur almost anywhere on the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Now, we want to hear your questions and concerns about Monkeypox. The phone lines are open now. Call us at 1-800-807-2620. International charges do apply for our overseas callers. You can also e-mail your questions to us at housecall@cnn.com.

We have a guest with us here today.

Dr. Jared Schwartz joins us now from Chicago to help answer our questions. He's a pathologist and an expert in exotic viruses.

Thank you for joining us, Dr. Schwartz.

We have lots of calls and e-mails lined up, so let's get to our first question, from Traci in Louisville, Kentucky.

Traci asks, "My neighbor introduced me to her pet prairie dog for the first time last weekend, before the news of the Monkeypox outbreak. She has since told me that her prairie dog is not sick, but should I do any independent checking? And, if so, how would I go about doing it?"

Any advice for Traci, Dr. Schwartz?

DR. JARED SCHWARTZ, PATHOLOGIST: Oh, well, that's a good question. And there are a lot of prairie dogs as pets. So I think a lot of others will have similar questions.

I think the answer is is that if the other, her neighbor's prairie dog is not sick and shows no signs of being ill, then I think she has very little to worry about. It is very important, however, that if she's concerned, you know, if she sees the prairie dog and the prairie dog looks like it might be ill, even if the neighbor thinks it is not, she can always call her local health department and they'll check it out.

COLLINS: Dr. Schwartz, we are also getting some phone calls this morning, as we were saying, a lot of people really wondering about this because we've been talking about it so much in the media.

We have Mary on the line from Richmond, Virginia.

Mary, hello to you.

What's your question?

MARY: My question is, I wonder if anyone has considered whether Monkeypox might provide a deterrent to smallpox the way cowpox provides immunity to smallpox?

COHEN: Doctor?

SCHWARTZ: Well, actually, I don't think that individuals in public health would want to consider an outbreak of Monkeypox as a protection. Monkeypox itself can be a very bad disease. In Africa, when outbreaks have occurred, there's been up to 10 percent of individuals who have, in fact, died. And also these pox, when they heal, they often will leave scars. So the best protection against smallpox, of course, is to make sure it never breaks out again. The second precaution against smallpox is the vaccine.

COLLINS: All right, Dr. Schwartz, thanks so much.

SCHWARTZ: Sure.

COLLINS: And I'm sure that we have a whole lot of more questions for you.

But we are going to take a quick break for right now.

When we come back, can Monkeypox spread to other pets like rabbits or hamsters? And are exotic animals too risky to own?

Call us with your questions. That number on your screen, 1-800- 807-2620. Or, you can always e-mail us at housecall@cnn.com.

We'll be back with more of Weekend House Call in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Welcome back to Weekend House Call everybody.

We are talking about Monkeypox this morning.

So far in the United States, it has been transmitted by prairie dogs primarily, but the virus is called Monkeypox because it was initially found in laboratory monkeys back in 1958. The disease was found mostly in the rain forest countries of Central and West Africa. Blood tests of animals in Africa found evidence of the infection in rodent species. An African squirrel may be its natural host.

Lab studies show the virus could also infect rats, mice and rabbits. The first human case was identified in Africa in 1970.

COHEN: If you have questions about Monkeypox, we want to hear from you. Give us a call at 1-800-807-2620. Or go online and e-mail us at housecall@cnn.com. We'll get those phone calls lined up and while we're doing that, let's check our daily dose health quiz.

Today's question, how many prairie dogs are sold in the U.S. each year?

We'll have that answer in 30 seconds. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Let's check our daily dose health quiz now. We just asked the question, "How many prairie dogs are sold in the U.S. each year?" It might surprise you. A handful of businesses in Texas collect more than 20,000 prairie dogs every year on private land and then sell them as pets worldwide. Prairie dogs are a popular pet as far away as Japan. Prices range from $50 to $200. While they're said to make great pets, actually greeting humans like a dog -- this I have not seen -- it's illegal to own a prairie dog in some states, primarily because many can carry bubonic plague or tularemia. They also have a nasty habit of trying to dig burros in sofas. Now, that's the prairie dog I know from Colorado.

COHEN: Oh, yes.

COLLINS: Yes.

COHEN: And the albino prairie dogs are especially prized.

COLLINS: Really? COHEN: They get a lot more money, yes.

COLLINS: I bet they would.

COHEN: Those albino prairie dogs very highly prized.

Now, it's not unusual for a virus to pass from an animal like a prairie dog to humans. It's believed this current outbreak jumped from an imported Gambian giant rat to a prairie dog when both animals were housed together at an exotic pet store in Illinois. A pet store worker contracted Monkeypox from the prairie dog.

SARS, the respiratory epidemic, is thought to have possibly come from civet cats, animals that are eaten as delicacies in China. Japan has banned the importation of prairie dogs now and the U.S. has put a ban on the sale of prairie dogs to try to curb the outbreak.

Let's get more of our questions now.

Laura from Oaklawn, Illinois, asks, "I have two rabbits that I bought for my daughter. The first rabbit I bought in March 2003 and the second rabbit I bought last week. Is it dangerous to have the rabbits because of Monkeypox?"

Dr. Schwartz, what do you think about rabbits?

SCHWARTZ: Well, if you'll notice, I'm wearing my bunny tie today. And it's important to understand that the virus, in fact, can infect a wide range of rodents, including rabbits. And, in fact, a couple rabbits have been infected with the Monkeypox virus.

However, the vast majority of rabbits that have been purchased, particularly prior to April 15th, is no worry. Again, if it's a recent purchase, I think all you need to do is make sure it's been checked out by a vet and it shows no signs of being ill. And it'll make a great pet.

COHEN: Could an animal have Monkeypox but still be, still appear to be healthy?

SCHWARTZ: Well, the incubation period for this virus, like a lot of other viruses, is anywhere from 10 to 14 days. And usually these animals do not begin to have the capability of passing the infection on until somewhere around 12 days after they've been infected. But there is a range there. And so I think it's not quite clear just how dangerous it is in the first three or four days before they have symptoms. So it is possible that they could spread it before they have symptoms.

COHEN: OK, Dr. Schwartz, we have another question from Frank from Easton, Maryland. He has this question: "Why doesn't the federal government prevent people from bringing into the U.S. all plants, animals and fish from foreign countries?"

SCHWARTZ: Well, the Centers for Disease Control actually has a list of certain animals, like monkeys and some dogs, cats, some birds, and a variety of other government agencies have other ones. Plus, airlines and Customs have.

But a lot of these animals end up getting brought into the United States illegally. Just like drugs get brought in, people want them, they're exotic. And it's a major problem.

COLLINS: All right, I think we have a phone call now that we want to get to, doctor. We have Elaine from Toledo on the phone.

Good morning, Elaine.

ELAINE: Good morning.

How are you?

COLLINS: I'm good.

What's your question today?

ELAINE: My granddaughters have gerbils and one of them bites. And I just wondered if gerbils could carry the Monkeypox virus?

COLLINS: Dr. Schwartz?

SCHWARTZ: Well, yes, it's a great question. At this point, there's no evidence that the virus has spread to gerbils. Again, it's theoretically possible if this disease were to spread that potentially gerbils could get it. But there's no evidence of Monkeypox in gerbils at this time.

I think the greatest problem is having just a local infection from the bite of some bacteria.

COLLINS: All right, well, still ahead this morning, it seems like we're reporting on a new disease every week. There is SARS, West Nile and now Monkeypox. What's next and why so many new diseases?

That answer, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Welcome back.

We're talking about Monkeypox. If you suspect that your pet is ill, what should you do? Well, first, get a mask and gloves. Isolate the pets from humans and from other animals. Contact the health department and warn your vet of the animal's symptoms so he or she can wear protective gear.

Bag the animal's bedding so the clinic can dispose of it as medical waste. Clean and sanitize tainted household surfaces and above all, do not release sick pets into the wild. Experts do not want Monkeypox introduced to the natural wildlife system. It's important to contain the virus.

We have another e-mail question. This one is from Lee in Smithfield, North Carolina. He asks, "How is that all of a sudden there are all these viruses popping up when most of these animals have resided next to humans for centuries?"

Dr. Schwartz?

SCHWARTZ: Well, I think, you know, several years ago we heard about hanta virus coming out of the desert and then we have SARS, and, as you say, West Nile. I think the reality is is that many of these diseases existed, but the populations were very small around them, the human populations. And as humans are moving more and more into the natural habitats of where these diseases are endemic, then we're seeing what we're seeing.

And then when you bring exotic animals, again, into cities that normally don't have these kinds of animals, the possibility of spread from the animal to the human is going to be there. And we're going to see more. This isn't going to be the end of it.

COHEN: Dr. Schwartz, in the beginning of our show we talked about a day care center where the owners had actually purchased two prairie dogs so the kids could play with them.

SCHWARTZ: Right.

COHEN: They said the kids enjoyed it. Do you think, is that a good or a bad idea, to give exotic pets to children that young?

SCHWARTZ: Well, I think, you know, by now -- and you've mentioned that there is over 20,000 a year. I heard there's something like 10,000 alone as pets in Texas. They're probably not considered as exotic pets by many people. But they are wild animals. And in general, when you use a wild animal as a pet, putting yourself at danger for getting other infections is increased. And I think it's probably not a smart idea to use animals like prairie dogs as pets for little children.

I certainly remember as a child myself having, you know, gerbils and cats and dogs and things like that, or -- and bunny rabbits. But we're getting more and more exotic.

COLLINS: Bunny rabbits. You've got to love the bunny rabbits, don't you?

SCHWARTZ: Yes.

COLLINS: All right, we have Mike. He is on the line. He has a question for you. He's calling from Danville, Pennsylvania this morning.

Hi, Mike.

Mike, are you there?

OK, do you have a question for us, Mike?

We do not have a question from Mike.

COHEN: We do not have Mike. Dr. Schwartz...

SCHWARTZ: You know, one of the most important things that I think that's been stated is the great fear of people getting nervous that they have one of these, particularly if they're an illegal animal, and letting them loose in the wild. The worst thing that could happen is if some of these infected animals got out into the wild and infected the natural rodents, rabbits, etc. We really would have a serious problem at that point.

COLLINS: Yes, it certainly sounds like it. And there are so many questions. You know, the minute that people start hearing about these diseases -- and as we have mentioned many times already today with SARS and West Nile, you know, they start getting worried. And then there's sort of this, for lack of a better word, panic.

SCHWARTZ: Right.

COLLINS: And certainly that isn't what we want people to do. We want to try to educate people so that they understand exactly what it is and what their risk is.

Can you give us the bottom line on that? Is it that hey, if you don't have a prairie dog, if you haven't been around a prairie dog, you're going to be fine?

SCHWARTZ: No, that's absolutely correct. I think for the vast millions of Americans that have pets, and millions do, there is nothing to worry about. Even if you have prairie dogs and some of these other exotic animals, if they're not sick, if you watch them, if they do get sick, you call your health department, your vet, you let them know, I think this thing has a great chance of burning out and, you know, it'll be just another problem that we saw and went away.

The danger, as I said, is people getting frightened and particularly if it's an illegal animal they have and letting it loose in the wild. That would be not wise.

COHEN: Dr. Schwartz, thank you for that advice there.

Now, when we come back, we will have some final thoughts on Monkeypox.

Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Welcome back to Weekend House Call, where we've been talking about Monkeypox.

Now, just to show that this is an outbreak that is always changing, we mentioned earlier in our show that there was one case of Monkeypox in New Jersey. Well, during the show, we got a phone call from the New Jersey health commissioner and he said that actually they have since figured out that this one case that they thought might be Monkeypox turned out to be plain old chicken pox. We have with us the whole show Dr. Jared Schwartz, with us from Chicago.

Dr. Schwartz, do you have any final thoughts on Monkeypox and these emerging infectious diseases?

SCHWARTZ: Well, I think that last point you made was a good one, and that is please pay attention to the news and don't jump to conclusions because you hear there's cases here or there. It takes time to find out exactly what's going on.

Be sure that if you have one of these prairie dogs or rabbits that you might have gotten from particularly a swap show or someplace like that, if the animal looks sick, call the vet, call your health department. And most importantly, I think, if, in fact, you have an animal that you think might be illegal and one of these exotic ones, please don't worry about getting into trouble. Don't release it into the wild. That would end up causing lots of trouble for the rest of the country. And, you know, just take care of your pets and if they're sick, call the vet.

COHEN: Great.

Dr. Schwartz, thank you for that information.

SCHWARTZ: Thank you.

COHEN: That's all that we have time for today.

Let's talk about what's going to be happen on House Call tomorrow. Tomorrow, since it's Father's Day, we'll be talking about men's health. We'll find out why most men totally avoid their doctors until late in life. We'll give you some tips on helping the man in your life take charge of his health.

Thanks for watching.

I'm Elizabeth Cohen.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired June 14, 2003 - 08:29   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: First it was West Nile Virus, then SARS and now it's Monkeypox. What is it? Where has it hit? And can you catch it? That's the real question.
We will answer those questions today on Weekend House Call.

CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is joining us with all of the details.

A lot of people are really talking about this because they're hearing more and more about it.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, and it just seems like there's another infection -- another emerging infectious disease every day.

COLLINS: Yes.

COHEN: There's SARS, there's West Nile and now there's Monkeypox. Well, we're going to learn all about it this morning. Actually, a lot has happened since we first heard of Monkeypox a week ago. The disease is now in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and New Jersey. The government has tried to stop the spread of the disease by banning the sale of prairie dogs, but the number of cases still continues to grow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN (voice-over): Here are the culprits, pet prairie dogs suspected of spreading Monkeypox to people in four states, including possibly to children at a daycare center at a private home in Indiana. At the center, the children played with prairie dogs who later became ill and died. Now, one child is in the hospital and some 16 others have recovered from symptoms of Monkeypox. The Centers for Disease Control is doing tests on the children's blood.

And in Wisconsin, a different type of outbreak. Three people may have contracted Monkeypox not from animals, but from other people. Two health care workers, a nurse at this hospital and a medical assistant at a dermatologist's office may have contracted the disease from their patients with Monkeypox. And the nurse's boyfriend may have Monkeypox, too. Wisconsin health officials, however, say they doubt any of them has Monkeypox. Specimens from all three have been sent to the CDC and results could be ready Saturday.

If they really do have Monkeypox... DR. STEVE OSTROFF, CDC: It's very important to point out this is fully expected.

COHEN: Monkeypox spreads person to person in Africa, where it kills up to 10 percent of its victims. The disease is not expected to be as deadly in the United States, where there are 85 cases under investigation, 13 of which have been laboratory confirmed. Some have been hospitalized, but no one has died. Not as deadly because people in the United States who might have been exposed to Monkeypox are being offered the smallpox vaccine. The two diseases are closely related.

(on camera): Since Monkeypox does spread person to person, could it spread around the globe? Could there be another SARS type epidemic? CDC officials say probably not.

(voice-over): That's because while Monkeypox does spread person to person, it doesn't usually spread person to person to person.

OSTROFF: This isn't a virus that's particularly well adapted to transmission from human to human. So even if we do see cases like this occurring, after one or possibly two or three generations of this, it tends to burn itself out in humans. And so we don't think that this would be a continuous or ongoing problem.

COHEN: And how do you know if you have Monkeypox? Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, rash, and large lymph nodes and exposure to exotic animals, like prairie dogs or to a person with Monkeypox. So, if you haven't been playing with one of these recently, or don't know anyone who has, then there's probably no way you have Monkeypox.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN: Here's how Monkeypox virus can be transmitted. In the U.S. outbreak, it appears that most victims have caught the virus through close contact with sick animals. Most handled the animals and were bitten or had breaks in their skin.

Now, of course, as we just said, you can catch it from another person, as well, especially if that person has sores. The incubation period is about 12 days and it starts with a fever, headache, body ache and chills, swollen lymph nodes and sometimes a cough. This is followed one to 10 days later by a rash with pustules that eventually crust over. They can occur almost anywhere on the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Now, we want to hear your questions and concerns about Monkeypox. The phone lines are open now. Call us at 1-800-807-2620. International charges do apply for our overseas callers. You can also e-mail your questions to us at housecall@cnn.com.

We have a guest with us here today.

Dr. Jared Schwartz joins us now from Chicago to help answer our questions. He's a pathologist and an expert in exotic viruses.

Thank you for joining us, Dr. Schwartz.

We have lots of calls and e-mails lined up, so let's get to our first question, from Traci in Louisville, Kentucky.

Traci asks, "My neighbor introduced me to her pet prairie dog for the first time last weekend, before the news of the Monkeypox outbreak. She has since told me that her prairie dog is not sick, but should I do any independent checking? And, if so, how would I go about doing it?"

Any advice for Traci, Dr. Schwartz?

DR. JARED SCHWARTZ, PATHOLOGIST: Oh, well, that's a good question. And there are a lot of prairie dogs as pets. So I think a lot of others will have similar questions.

I think the answer is is that if the other, her neighbor's prairie dog is not sick and shows no signs of being ill, then I think she has very little to worry about. It is very important, however, that if she's concerned, you know, if she sees the prairie dog and the prairie dog looks like it might be ill, even if the neighbor thinks it is not, she can always call her local health department and they'll check it out.

COLLINS: Dr. Schwartz, we are also getting some phone calls this morning, as we were saying, a lot of people really wondering about this because we've been talking about it so much in the media.

We have Mary on the line from Richmond, Virginia.

Mary, hello to you.

What's your question?

MARY: My question is, I wonder if anyone has considered whether Monkeypox might provide a deterrent to smallpox the way cowpox provides immunity to smallpox?

COHEN: Doctor?

SCHWARTZ: Well, actually, I don't think that individuals in public health would want to consider an outbreak of Monkeypox as a protection. Monkeypox itself can be a very bad disease. In Africa, when outbreaks have occurred, there's been up to 10 percent of individuals who have, in fact, died. And also these pox, when they heal, they often will leave scars. So the best protection against smallpox, of course, is to make sure it never breaks out again. The second precaution against smallpox is the vaccine.

COLLINS: All right, Dr. Schwartz, thanks so much.

SCHWARTZ: Sure.

COLLINS: And I'm sure that we have a whole lot of more questions for you.

But we are going to take a quick break for right now.

When we come back, can Monkeypox spread to other pets like rabbits or hamsters? And are exotic animals too risky to own?

Call us with your questions. That number on your screen, 1-800- 807-2620. Or, you can always e-mail us at housecall@cnn.com.

We'll be back with more of Weekend House Call in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Welcome back to Weekend House Call everybody.

We are talking about Monkeypox this morning.

So far in the United States, it has been transmitted by prairie dogs primarily, but the virus is called Monkeypox because it was initially found in laboratory monkeys back in 1958. The disease was found mostly in the rain forest countries of Central and West Africa. Blood tests of animals in Africa found evidence of the infection in rodent species. An African squirrel may be its natural host.

Lab studies show the virus could also infect rats, mice and rabbits. The first human case was identified in Africa in 1970.

COHEN: If you have questions about Monkeypox, we want to hear from you. Give us a call at 1-800-807-2620. Or go online and e-mail us at housecall@cnn.com. We'll get those phone calls lined up and while we're doing that, let's check our daily dose health quiz.

Today's question, how many prairie dogs are sold in the U.S. each year?

We'll have that answer in 30 seconds. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Let's check our daily dose health quiz now. We just asked the question, "How many prairie dogs are sold in the U.S. each year?" It might surprise you. A handful of businesses in Texas collect more than 20,000 prairie dogs every year on private land and then sell them as pets worldwide. Prairie dogs are a popular pet as far away as Japan. Prices range from $50 to $200. While they're said to make great pets, actually greeting humans like a dog -- this I have not seen -- it's illegal to own a prairie dog in some states, primarily because many can carry bubonic plague or tularemia. They also have a nasty habit of trying to dig burros in sofas. Now, that's the prairie dog I know from Colorado.

COHEN: Oh, yes.

COLLINS: Yes.

COHEN: And the albino prairie dogs are especially prized.

COLLINS: Really? COHEN: They get a lot more money, yes.

COLLINS: I bet they would.

COHEN: Those albino prairie dogs very highly prized.

Now, it's not unusual for a virus to pass from an animal like a prairie dog to humans. It's believed this current outbreak jumped from an imported Gambian giant rat to a prairie dog when both animals were housed together at an exotic pet store in Illinois. A pet store worker contracted Monkeypox from the prairie dog.

SARS, the respiratory epidemic, is thought to have possibly come from civet cats, animals that are eaten as delicacies in China. Japan has banned the importation of prairie dogs now and the U.S. has put a ban on the sale of prairie dogs to try to curb the outbreak.

Let's get more of our questions now.

Laura from Oaklawn, Illinois, asks, "I have two rabbits that I bought for my daughter. The first rabbit I bought in March 2003 and the second rabbit I bought last week. Is it dangerous to have the rabbits because of Monkeypox?"

Dr. Schwartz, what do you think about rabbits?

SCHWARTZ: Well, if you'll notice, I'm wearing my bunny tie today. And it's important to understand that the virus, in fact, can infect a wide range of rodents, including rabbits. And, in fact, a couple rabbits have been infected with the Monkeypox virus.

However, the vast majority of rabbits that have been purchased, particularly prior to April 15th, is no worry. Again, if it's a recent purchase, I think all you need to do is make sure it's been checked out by a vet and it shows no signs of being ill. And it'll make a great pet.

COHEN: Could an animal have Monkeypox but still be, still appear to be healthy?

SCHWARTZ: Well, the incubation period for this virus, like a lot of other viruses, is anywhere from 10 to 14 days. And usually these animals do not begin to have the capability of passing the infection on until somewhere around 12 days after they've been infected. But there is a range there. And so I think it's not quite clear just how dangerous it is in the first three or four days before they have symptoms. So it is possible that they could spread it before they have symptoms.

COHEN: OK, Dr. Schwartz, we have another question from Frank from Easton, Maryland. He has this question: "Why doesn't the federal government prevent people from bringing into the U.S. all plants, animals and fish from foreign countries?"

SCHWARTZ: Well, the Centers for Disease Control actually has a list of certain animals, like monkeys and some dogs, cats, some birds, and a variety of other government agencies have other ones. Plus, airlines and Customs have.

But a lot of these animals end up getting brought into the United States illegally. Just like drugs get brought in, people want them, they're exotic. And it's a major problem.

COLLINS: All right, I think we have a phone call now that we want to get to, doctor. We have Elaine from Toledo on the phone.

Good morning, Elaine.

ELAINE: Good morning.

How are you?

COLLINS: I'm good.

What's your question today?

ELAINE: My granddaughters have gerbils and one of them bites. And I just wondered if gerbils could carry the Monkeypox virus?

COLLINS: Dr. Schwartz?

SCHWARTZ: Well, yes, it's a great question. At this point, there's no evidence that the virus has spread to gerbils. Again, it's theoretically possible if this disease were to spread that potentially gerbils could get it. But there's no evidence of Monkeypox in gerbils at this time.

I think the greatest problem is having just a local infection from the bite of some bacteria.

COLLINS: All right, well, still ahead this morning, it seems like we're reporting on a new disease every week. There is SARS, West Nile and now Monkeypox. What's next and why so many new diseases?

That answer, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Welcome back.

We're talking about Monkeypox. If you suspect that your pet is ill, what should you do? Well, first, get a mask and gloves. Isolate the pets from humans and from other animals. Contact the health department and warn your vet of the animal's symptoms so he or she can wear protective gear.

Bag the animal's bedding so the clinic can dispose of it as medical waste. Clean and sanitize tainted household surfaces and above all, do not release sick pets into the wild. Experts do not want Monkeypox introduced to the natural wildlife system. It's important to contain the virus.

We have another e-mail question. This one is from Lee in Smithfield, North Carolina. He asks, "How is that all of a sudden there are all these viruses popping up when most of these animals have resided next to humans for centuries?"

Dr. Schwartz?

SCHWARTZ: Well, I think, you know, several years ago we heard about hanta virus coming out of the desert and then we have SARS, and, as you say, West Nile. I think the reality is is that many of these diseases existed, but the populations were very small around them, the human populations. And as humans are moving more and more into the natural habitats of where these diseases are endemic, then we're seeing what we're seeing.

And then when you bring exotic animals, again, into cities that normally don't have these kinds of animals, the possibility of spread from the animal to the human is going to be there. And we're going to see more. This isn't going to be the end of it.

COHEN: Dr. Schwartz, in the beginning of our show we talked about a day care center where the owners had actually purchased two prairie dogs so the kids could play with them.

SCHWARTZ: Right.

COHEN: They said the kids enjoyed it. Do you think, is that a good or a bad idea, to give exotic pets to children that young?

SCHWARTZ: Well, I think, you know, by now -- and you've mentioned that there is over 20,000 a year. I heard there's something like 10,000 alone as pets in Texas. They're probably not considered as exotic pets by many people. But they are wild animals. And in general, when you use a wild animal as a pet, putting yourself at danger for getting other infections is increased. And I think it's probably not a smart idea to use animals like prairie dogs as pets for little children.

I certainly remember as a child myself having, you know, gerbils and cats and dogs and things like that, or -- and bunny rabbits. But we're getting more and more exotic.

COLLINS: Bunny rabbits. You've got to love the bunny rabbits, don't you?

SCHWARTZ: Yes.

COLLINS: All right, we have Mike. He is on the line. He has a question for you. He's calling from Danville, Pennsylvania this morning.

Hi, Mike.

Mike, are you there?

OK, do you have a question for us, Mike?

We do not have a question from Mike.

COHEN: We do not have Mike. Dr. Schwartz...

SCHWARTZ: You know, one of the most important things that I think that's been stated is the great fear of people getting nervous that they have one of these, particularly if they're an illegal animal, and letting them loose in the wild. The worst thing that could happen is if some of these infected animals got out into the wild and infected the natural rodents, rabbits, etc. We really would have a serious problem at that point.

COLLINS: Yes, it certainly sounds like it. And there are so many questions. You know, the minute that people start hearing about these diseases -- and as we have mentioned many times already today with SARS and West Nile, you know, they start getting worried. And then there's sort of this, for lack of a better word, panic.

SCHWARTZ: Right.

COLLINS: And certainly that isn't what we want people to do. We want to try to educate people so that they understand exactly what it is and what their risk is.

Can you give us the bottom line on that? Is it that hey, if you don't have a prairie dog, if you haven't been around a prairie dog, you're going to be fine?

SCHWARTZ: No, that's absolutely correct. I think for the vast millions of Americans that have pets, and millions do, there is nothing to worry about. Even if you have prairie dogs and some of these other exotic animals, if they're not sick, if you watch them, if they do get sick, you call your health department, your vet, you let them know, I think this thing has a great chance of burning out and, you know, it'll be just another problem that we saw and went away.

The danger, as I said, is people getting frightened and particularly if it's an illegal animal they have and letting it loose in the wild. That would be not wise.

COHEN: Dr. Schwartz, thank you for that advice there.

Now, when we come back, we will have some final thoughts on Monkeypox.

Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Welcome back to Weekend House Call, where we've been talking about Monkeypox.

Now, just to show that this is an outbreak that is always changing, we mentioned earlier in our show that there was one case of Monkeypox in New Jersey. Well, during the show, we got a phone call from the New Jersey health commissioner and he said that actually they have since figured out that this one case that they thought might be Monkeypox turned out to be plain old chicken pox. We have with us the whole show Dr. Jared Schwartz, with us from Chicago.

Dr. Schwartz, do you have any final thoughts on Monkeypox and these emerging infectious diseases?

SCHWARTZ: Well, I think that last point you made was a good one, and that is please pay attention to the news and don't jump to conclusions because you hear there's cases here or there. It takes time to find out exactly what's going on.

Be sure that if you have one of these prairie dogs or rabbits that you might have gotten from particularly a swap show or someplace like that, if the animal looks sick, call the vet, call your health department. And most importantly, I think, if, in fact, you have an animal that you think might be illegal and one of these exotic ones, please don't worry about getting into trouble. Don't release it into the wild. That would end up causing lots of trouble for the rest of the country. And, you know, just take care of your pets and if they're sick, call the vet.

COHEN: Great.

Dr. Schwartz, thank you for that information.

SCHWARTZ: Thank you.

COHEN: That's all that we have time for today.

Let's talk about what's going to be happen on House Call tomorrow. Tomorrow, since it's Father's Day, we'll be talking about men's health. We'll find out why most men totally avoid their doctors until late in life. We'll give you some tips on helping the man in your life take charge of his health.

Thanks for watching.

I'm Elizabeth Cohen.

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