June 27, 2003

AMENDED ORDER FINDING IMMINENT DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION

This order is made pursuant to Section 2251 of the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, being MCL 333.2251, and amends and replaces the Order Finding Imminent Danger issued on June 13, 2003.
Matters of concern to the health of Michigan citizens having been brought to the attention of the Director of the Department of Community Health, and the Director having made the following determinations:
1) Rodents (order Rodentia) from Africa capable of transmitting monkeypox virus to humans have been imported into the United States;

2) In the United States, the monkeypox virus has been diagnosed in Prairie dogs (Cynomys sp.) and certain other rodents, which are also capable of transmitting the monkeypox virus to humans;

3) Individuals in states neighboring the State of Michigan, including Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois, have been diagnosed as having contracted monkeypox;

4) The following seven species may be capable of transmitting the monkeypox virus to humans:
· Brush-tailed porcupines (Atherurus sp.)
· Dormices (Graphiurus sp.)
· Gambian giant pouched rats (Cricetomys sp.)
· Prairie dogs (Cynomys sp.)
· Rope squirrels (Funisciurus sp.)
· Striped mice (Hybomys sp.)
· Tree squirrels (Heliosciurus sp.)

5) All residents of the State of Michigan are at risk of exposure to the monkeypox virus through exposure to rodents that are capable of transmitting the virus to humans;

6) This condition or practice could reasonably be expected to cause death, disease, or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of the danger can be eliminated through enforcement procedures otherwise provided;

7) This situation constitutes an imminent danger to the health or lives of citizens of the State of Michigan; and

8) This determination is based on information provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and David R. Johnson, M.D., Chief Medical Executive, Michigan Department of Community Health.

Now, Therefore, It Is Hereby Ordered that:
A) The Intra-state transportation, display, sale, any other distribution (including exchanges with or without remuneration), or release into the environment of animals belonging to the following species IS PROHIBITED until further order:
· Brush-tailed porcupines (Atherurus sp.)
· Dormices (Graphiurus sp.)
· Gambian giant pouched rats (Cricetomys sp.)
· Prairie dogs (Cynomys sp.)
· Rope squirrels (Funisciurus sp.)
· Striped mice (Hybomys sp.)
· Tree squirrels (Heliosciurus sp.)

B) This order does not apply to the transportation of the listed species to veterinarians or animal control officials.  Also, it does not apply to authorized employees and agents of the Michigan Departments of Community Health, Agriculture and Natural Resources in the discharge of their official duties.

C) A copy of this order shall be delivered to newspapers of general circulation and other news media;

D) A copy of this order may be posted in a prominent location at sites where animals may be sold, distributed, or exchanged.

E) This order supersedes the Order Finding Imminent Danger of June 13, 2003, and may be additionally amended to include other species as additional information about monkeypox and its transmission is acquired.

Pursuant to Section 2261 of the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, being MCL 333.2261, a person who violates this order is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or a fine of not more than $200.00 or both.

Dated:  June 27, 2003     
Janet Olszewski, Director,
Michigan Department of Community Health