By …
Dr Boris Petrikovsky, MD
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
The centers for Disease Control and Prevention are asking medical professional to be aware of the possibility of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus among pregnant patients and newborns. In healthy people, the virus causes no symptoms or only a mild illness, but infected pregnant women can transmit the virus to their fetus, leading to possible fetal death or birth defects.
The disease can spread to pet rodents, (hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs, etc.) after being in contact with wild house mice in breeding facilities, pet stores, or homes, according to the CDC.
The CDC recommends that women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, avoid contact with all rodents.