Jewish Infant Gets Herpes From Controversial Orthodox Circumcision Rite
A New York City infant was recently infected with herpes after undergoing a controversial circumcision rite, but survived, health officials said.
The baby contracted herpes simplex virus type 1 after undergoing the rite known as metzitzah b’peh. This is the second confirmed case this year by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The infant survived after developing a fever and vesicular lesions on its scrotum in the weeks after circumcision. HSV-1 was isolated from the lesions. Metzitzah b’peh is still practiced by some ultra-Orthodox mohels where the blood is orally sucked away after the cutting of the foreskin. Though not serious for adults, it can be fatal for infants, causing permanent cognitive and physical damage or even death.
In January, the DOHMH began requiring that parents sign an informed consent waiver to allow metzitzah b’peh to be performed.
The DOHMH said no form was submitted for the procedure. Despite the apparent violation, the agency said it has no plans to pursue a legal case against the parents.
There have been 13 confirmed cases by the DOHMH since 2000. Last month, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, prone to making controversial statements, said that local hospitals underreport the number of neonatal herpes infections from metzitzah b’peh.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30