July 01, 2004

By: Curtis Mckay
Website: http://www.1st-in-pets.com

Man Falls Ill After Buying Pets From Exotic Pet Store

An Indiana man is being treated for a pox-like virus. The man became ill after he brought home two sick prairie dogs which he bought at an Illinois pet store that specializes in wild and exotic pets.

Health officials in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana are trying to track down dozens of people or businesses in the Midwest that may have purchased prairie dogs, Gambian rats or other exotic animals from Phil's Pocket Pets located in Villa Park, Illinois, just west of Chicago.

In Wisconsin health officials at first thought they were dealing with smallpox, but doctors and scientists quuickly ruled that out as they saw a trend making the link between sick individuals and purchases at the pet store, since April 15.

Federal officials believe the animals may have become infedted with monkey pox from a Gambian rat at the pet store.

One South Milwaukee pet distributor SK Exotics purchased some of the prairie dogs from the Villa Park pet store and sold them to two other pet stores in the Milwaukee area.

Indiana health officials, as well as U.S. Center for Disease Control officials, believe the illness is similar to monkey pox, a viral disease that affects non-human primates.

Monkey pox is related to smallpox but has a low potential for transmission between people and is seldom fatal.

State officials say the sick person in Indiana is an adult and is being treated in isolation at a hospital.

Both Wisconsin and Illinois have banned the sale or importation of prairie dogs, and officials have urged people not to release the sick prairie dogs into the wild for fear of spreading the disease to healthy prarire dogs or other wildlife.

For more information, see natural pet foods .

About The Author:

Curtis Mckay is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com.  Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.