Two more infants in New York City have tested positive for herpes following a controversial circumcision rite.
By Paul Berger—The Jewish Daily Forward
Both babies are believed to have contracted the disease following metzitzah b’peh, a ritual in which the circumciser places his lips on the infant’s penis to suction blood from the circumcision wound.
New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene sent a health alert to doctors July 22 warning of the suspected cases.
In the first case, the baby had pustular lesions on the penis and genital area. He tested positive for herpes and was admitted to hospital for intravenous treatment.
