Wednesday, June 14, 2006
State Issues Guidelines for Metziza B'peh
After months of discussion, Orthodox rabbis and New York State Health Commissioner Antonia Novello signed a protocol on Monday that will regulate mohels’ use of metzizah b’peh.
Aimed to eliminate possible health hazards, especially the transmission of herpes, the protocol requires mohels to wash their hands with antimicrobial soap or an alcohol-based hand scrub for up to six minutes. The mohel must also apply a sterile alcohol wipe to his mouth and use mouthwash containing 25 percent alcohol for no less than 30 seconds and no more than five minutes before the circumcision. After performing metziza b’peh, the mohel must cover the area of the circumcision with an antibiotic ointment and sterile gauze.
The agreement comes in wake of accusations that the ancient ritual was recently responsible for the death of one child and the serious brain injury of another. Many, including the city’s health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Frieden, contended that the babies had contracted neonatal herpes from their mohel.
Commissioner Novello seemed pleased with the new guidelines. “[I]t might not be the most perfect protocol in the world, but before this, we had nothing.”
http://www.jewishpress.com/page.do/18513/State_Issues_Guidelines_for_%3Ci%3EMetziza_B'peh%3C%2Fi%3E.html
After months of discussion, Orthodox rabbis and New York State Health Commissioner Antonia Novello signed a protocol on Monday that will regulate mohels’ use of metzizah b’peh.
Aimed to eliminate possible health hazards, especially the transmission of herpes, the protocol requires mohels to wash their hands with antimicrobial soap or an alcohol-based hand scrub for up to six minutes. The mohel must also apply a sterile alcohol wipe to his mouth and use mouthwash containing 25 percent alcohol for no less than 30 seconds and no more than five minutes before the circumcision. After performing metziza b’peh, the mohel must cover the area of the circumcision with an antibiotic ointment and sterile gauze.
The agreement comes in wake of accusations that the ancient ritual was recently responsible for the death of one child and the serious brain injury of another. Many, including the city’s health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Frieden, contended that the babies had contracted neonatal herpes from their mohel.
Commissioner Novello seemed pleased with the new guidelines. “[I]t might not be the most perfect protocol in the world, but before this, we had nothing.”
http://www.jewishpress.com/page.do/18513/State_Issues_Guidelines_for_%3Ci%3EMetziza_B'peh%3C%2Fi%3E.html
Comments:
I don't think it is right that the Mohelim now have to endanger their health by wiping their mouths with an alcohol wipe and use mouthwash.(Some people who are health conscious would object to this practice). I don't really think there is a danger of babies getting herpes from Milah. It is just another thing that the government shouldn't mix into. If it was so commom to get herpes from Milah, then we would have surely heard about a lot more babies having it after their brisim. Did anyone compare the incidences of herpes among baby girls compared to boys? or non Jewish babies to Jewish babies?
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: June 14, 2006 11:17 PM
: June 14, 2006 11:17 PM
"I don't think it is right that the Mohelim now have to endanger their health by wiping their mouths with an alcohol wipe and use mouthwash."
Hey buddy, if a mohel has no problem putting his mouth directly on a 'weener' and sucking out the blood, why should a little bottle of Scope bother him?
Hey buddy, if a mohel has no problem putting his mouth directly on a 'weener' and sucking out the blood, why should a little bottle of Scope bother him?
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : June 15, 2006 2:51 AM
: June 15, 2006 2:51 AM
To the last comentator.
First give us your medical backround and your credential and then we might just listen to what you have to say. Honestly you sound very uneducated not just in medical but in general.
just remember herpes dont always show up . it can be dormant in ones body for a long time til it shows up and reacts.
personally i think this is a tremendous breakthrough from the government .But im just wondering who will monitor to make sure that the mohalim follow all the NEW rules.
First give us your medical backround and your credential and then we might just listen to what you have to say. Honestly you sound very uneducated not just in medical but in general.
just remember herpes dont always show up . it can be dormant in ones body for a long time til it shows up and reacts.
personally i think this is a tremendous breakthrough from the government .But im just wondering who will monitor to make sure that the mohalim follow all the NEW rules.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : June 15, 2006 4:57 AM
: June 15, 2006 4:57 AM
This whole crisis is BS. According to the Health Dept's own research, the occurence of Herpes as a result of Metzizah is less than the transmission rate of AIDS with a condom!! Yeah condoms are only 98% effective, meaning 2 of 100 is a chance, and in milah it is about 1 in 8300 according to the Dept's own data!!
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : June 15, 2006 8:56 AM
: June 15, 2006 8:56 AM
And the peolpe to thank for this is non other than the Agudah, and their attorneys etc. ahhh dah gedolim.. now we can all make a good asher yootzar
Post a Comment
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : June 18, 2006 10:45 AM
: June 18, 2006 10:45 AM
