UPDATE::City evaluating Hasidic community’s cooperation in herpes cases | New York Post

The city is zero for six in garnering full cooperation from the Hasidic community in rooting out mohels involved in neonatal herpes cases, but Mayor de Blasio says he still needs to evaluate whether a deal with the community is “working effectively or not.”

Under the February 2015 agreement on the controversial religious practice, where mohels suck blood from an incision during a circumcision, the city eliminated a parental consent form mandated by former Mayor Bloomberg.
In exchange, the community pledged to identify a mohel after an infant contracts herpes and to have the mohel tested to determine if there’s a strain match.

Last week, health officials said just 2 of 6 mohels had been identified and that — rather than being tested — they were simply advised not to continue with the practice, known as metzitzah b’peh.

City evaluating Hasidic community’s cooperation in herpes cases | New York Post

UPDATE::New York City Health Board Repeals Rule on Consent Forms for Circumcision Ritual - The New York Times

The New York City Board of Health voted on Wednesday to ease regulations on a controversial circumcision ritual practiced in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, fulfilling a priority of Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The vote repealed a Bloomberg-era rule requiring parents to sign a consent form before the ritual, which involves a person performing a circumcision, known as a mohel, to use his mouth to suck blood away from the incision on an infant’s penis. The practice has been linked to herpes infections in infants.

The city’s health department will instead ask hospitals to distribute a brochure to Orthodox families that warns of the risks involved in the ritual, known as metzitzah b’peh. City Hall officials said they were finishing up an agreement with Orthodox leaders so that the mohel would be tested for herpes if an infant was infected.

But those tests, and any penalties for mohels found to be infected, would not be mandated by law.

In effect, Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, is betting that collaborating with Orthodox leaders — a group that has long felt alienated from government — will do more to protect infants’ health than in previous attempts to impose regulations on a cherished practice, even one linked to two deaths.

The consent forms had infuriated leaders in the city’s politically influential ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which called the requirement an infringement on religious freedom. As a candidate, Mr. de Blasio had pledged to remove them, and the mayor has noted that herpes infections stemming from the ritual had continued to be reported even after the forms were introduced.

New York City Health Board Repeals Rule on Consent Forms for Circumcision Ritual - The New York Times

Could Something Other Than Mohels Be Giving Herpes in Circumcisions? - News – Forward.com

A former county health official claims he has identified a source for herpes infections in ultra-Orthodox baby boys — and it’s not metzitzah b’peh , the controversial ritual in which a mohel uses his lips to suction blood from the circumcision wound.

New York City health officials blame metzitzah b’peh, or MBP, for infecting 17 Jewish babies with herpes since 2000. Two of those babies died, and a further two suffered brain damage.

But E. Oscar Alleyne, the former director of epidemiology and public health planning for New York’s Rockland County Health Department, says that while MBP is a high-risk procedure, DNA investigations that he conducted show that it is not the sole explanation for such infections.

“We’ve been able to identify scientifically that [herpes infection] does occur from other point sources,” Alleyne said.

Alleyne said that by using DNA testing he was able to discount mohels as the source of two neonatal herpes infections in Rockland County in 2014. He said that epidemiological evidence points to a different source for the infections.

Alleyne, however, refused to share that source or his data. His work has not been peer-reviewed or accepted by a medical journal for publication, so his claims cannot be independently verified.
,,,
Even if Alleyne could provide convincing data to suggest an alternative source of infections, Zenilman said it did not change his assessment that MBP “is a risky practice in general and [that] epidemiological data support that.”
Zenilman added that it was unusual for an official to withhold results ahead of publication if they are of public health importance.

Alleyne said that because he has developed a working relationship with the region’s ultra-Orthodox communities, he has already given their leaders his recommendations to improve infection control practices.


Could Something Other Than Mohels Be Giving Herpes in Circumcisions? - News – Forward.com

ADDENDUM::Four Eastern Cape circumcision deaths reported | News24

Four initiates have died from circumcisions thus far this season, the Eastern Cape health department said on Sunday.

Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the four boys had been from the Port St Johns, Qumbu, Ngqeleni, and Chris Hani districts.

"The Port St Johns boy had a septic penis and swollen knee, suggesting beatings. The 29-year-old initiate from Qumbu is suspected to have defaulted from his chronic medication but confirmation will be revealed on Monday after an autopsy," he said.

Four Eastern Cape circumcision deaths reported | News24

Teen could lose his penis after botched circumcision | News24

An Eastern Cape teen could lose his penis after a botched circumcision, while another is showing signs of assault after attending initiation school, the provincial health department said.

Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the two were taken to different hospitals on Tuesday.

"The two had severe injuries. One was taken to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital [in Mthatha]. He might lose his penis."

He emphasised that doctors would not amputate the organ.
,,,

Including the pair, 13 teens had been hospitalised for botched circumcisions in the province over the last few weeks.

"All of this is unnecessary. Government is there to help. Going to hospital carries a stigma and that is why we are spending money hiring doctors to go to the schools."

He said boys at some schools were showing signs of dehydration, suggesting they were being denied access to water.

"Even boys with medical conditions who need chronic meds are being denied them," Kupelo said.

"It is only in one part [of the province] where the people are like this. There, the elders who were not circumcised are referred to as 'boys' and are not even allowed [to oversee the initiations]."

Teen could lose his penis after botched circumcision | News24

UPDATE::NYC Board of Health move to end controversial circumcision rule - Newsday

A Bloomberg-era consent form required for a controversial circumcision ritual used in some ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities is on its way out as New York City officials look to other means of educating parents about the health risks.

The Board of Health agreed Wednesday to open to public discussion its proposal to rescind the rule.

The form calls for parents to acknowledge knowing the risk of contracting herpes in the ritual known as metzitzah b'peh, a bris ceremony in which a religious officiant -- known as a mohel -- orally removes blood from the incision.
 
The form, approved in 2012 under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has met fierce resistance in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and proved difficult to enforce. Since the rule took effect, there have been six recorded cases of neonatal herpes linked to metzitzah b'peh, health officials said.

"The Bloomberg administration pursued a strategy that resulted in a huge amount of uproar," the Health commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett, told reporters. "I don't think that that was the intent . . . but the fact is that it's really hard to convey educational information when you've polarized a community."

A board vote on the repeal is set for September.

NYC Board of Health move to end controversial circumcision rule - Newsday

NYC, Orthodox Jews Reach Deal on Circumcision Suction Ritual | NBC New York

Simple, just shut the fuckers down,,,

The city said Tuesday it has reached a tentative agreement with members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community over a tradition known as oral suction circumcision.

Health officials have linked 17 cases of infant herpes since 2000 to the ancient ritual of sucking blood from the wounds on the infants' penises.

On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration said mohels, as the circumcisers are called in Yiddish, should no longer be required to obtain signed consent forms before the rites.

Administration officials said they will ask the Board of Health to vote to rescind the requirement while working with a coalition of rabbinical leaders and medical experts to educate members of the ultra-Orthodox community about the possible dangers of the practice, known as metzitzah b'peh in Hebrew. A vote is expected in June.

[,,,]
"Increasing trust and communication between the city and this community is critical to achieve the administration's ultimate goal of ensuring the health and safety of every child, and this new policy seeks to establish a relationship based on engagement and mutual respect," the administration said in a statement.

Details of the agreement haven't been finalized, but officials concede it's impossible to enforce the proposed measures in a community that practices its religious freedom in private.

Mohels have produced only one signed consent form in recent years, and rabbis have urged their faithful not to comply.

NYC, Orthodox Jews Reach Deal on Circumcision Suction Ritual | NBC New York

U.S. Court Rules NYC Metzizah B'Peh Regulation Must Go Under 'Strict Scrutiny' – Forward.com

A controversial circumcision regulation hangs in the balance in New York City after a federal appeals court ruled that the regulation targets the freedom of religion of some Orthodox Jews and must therefore be reviewed under a standard known as “strict scrutiny.”

Robert Simins, a lawyer for the Orthodox groups who opposed the regulation, hailed the court’s decision as a “great victory… for all Americans who cherish religious freedom.” Simins said his clients hoped the regulation would “either be withdrawn at this time or declared unconstitutional in any further court proceeding.”

New York City enacted the regulation, in September 2012, requiring mohels to obtain written consent from parents before performing metzitzah b’peh, a practice in which the mohel uses his mouth to directly suction blood from the circumcision wound.

MBP is prevalent among New York City’s ultra-Orthodox communities. The city’s health department says that since 2000, 16 babies have been infected with herpes following the rite. Two of those babies died and two suffered brain damage.

U.S. Court Rules NYC Metzizah B'Peh Regulation Must Go Under 'Strict Scrutiny' – Forward.com

2 New York Infants Get Herpes From Controversial Circumcision Rite – Forward.com

Metzitzah b’peh strikes again!

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.

In the second case, the baby developed lesions on his penis, thigh, and foot. The health alert did not say how the baby’s symptoms were treated.

The alert stated that both cases were consistent with transmission of herpes “during direct contact between the mouth of the ritual circumciser and the newly circumcised infant penis.”

Since 2000, 16 infants in New York City are suspected of contracting herpes following MBP. Two of those babies died and at least two others suffered brain damage.

The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has tried to warn parents of the risks of MBP, which is particularly prevalent among the city’s ultra-Orthodox Jews.

Read more: http://forward.com/articles/202584/-new-york-infants-get-herpes-from-controversial-c/#ixzz39AkwpT63


2 New York Infants Get Herpes From Controversial Circumcision Rite – Forward.com

Bulawayo24 NEWS | 'Where are the foreskins?'

H/T to Sharon Hill at Doubtful News for this gem, "What I saw in this story is the ease with which local superstition is utilized as a viable excuse. Why not argue the merits not include some occult possibilities. When such a superstition is widely believed, such as witchcraft in this part of Africa, people seeking to influence opinion will use the powerful fear of it to bolster their argument."
__
Mlotshwa demanded that those who carryout circumcision should give back their patients the foreskins.

"There is a case of witchcraft in Zimbabwe," Mlotshwa said.

[,,,]
"What happens to these foreskins of 100 boys that are put in a basket by this doctor?

"What happens to these foreskins of these children, colleagues?

"Is it not better to give each person his foreskin to dispose the way they see fit?

"This is because putting them together in a basket will invite witchcraft."

She claimed some could be using the foreskins to get charms to enhance their chances of getting married.

"We so much want to get married nowadays and we want to use the young boys' foreskins to mix with whatever we mix with to get more money," Mlotshwa added.

"It is known in Africa that the parts of a body are better in trying to do that.

"Even for grown-up people who are mature, why do you leave your foreskins to be mixed with whoever's foreskin in the basket there, when a doctor can be bought to put all those foreskins together and go and sell them?

"Who is there to see that these foreskins are disposed of property?"

Bulawayo24 NEWS | 'Where are the foreskins?'

A deadly ritual — Religious Child Maltreatment

Thanks to Rob Robinson over at The Free World Project for the heads up.

If you want to understand just how religious authoritarianism harms children, look no further than the actions of a powerful group of rabbis in New York known as Agudath Israel. AI is a Jewish communal organization that represents the most conservative Jewish believers, Haredi or ultra-Orthodox Jews.

These rabbis are seeking to sue the City of New York after the health department announced it would adopt a measure that requires parents to sign a written consent form warning them of the dangers of a circumcision ritual called metzitzah b’peh. (The policy was just passed.) If you have not heard of metzitzah b’peh, brace yourself: It involves the sucking of the bleeding penis by the circumcising rabbi or mohel.

The practice of metzitzah b’peh was added to the Jewish circumcision ritual known as brit milah around 500 CE. Originally, it was believed to prevent infection by drawing blood from the wound. Fast forward to today and you find that Haredim commonly practice metzitzah b’peh, and authorities allow it. This is confounding because in just about every other segment of society, such an act would be considered sexual abuse. What’s more, the ritual has led to babies dying or suffering brain damage after contracting the herpes simplex I virus.

Neonatal herpes infections of all kinds are nearly always fatal in infants. An investigation by the New York City Board of Health found that, in the last decade, an average of one baby per year who underwent metzitzah b’peh contracted the virus. Two of the infants died, and two suffered brain damage.

“This is a ritual. . . that’s come down through the ages, and now it has met modern science,” the chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University told ABC News. “It’s certainly not something any of us recommend in the modern infection-control era,” he said.

A deadly ritual — Religious Child Maltreatment

Rabbi Who Botched Circumcision Sued For Negligence; Continues Performing Procedure Even After Severing Boy's Penis

No regulation or medical training for mohels, “There’s virtually no regulation of this any place in the United States that I know of. I think the government probably should require some sort of training if this is going to be done.” What is this child now facing in terms of lifetime care and needs? All for religion,,,

It’s every baby boy’s worst nightmare before they even know what a nightmare is. In April, a Pittsburgh rabbi cut too far during a baby’s bris ceremony, severing the newborn baby’s penis. Eight months later, the baby boy’s parents are suing the rabbi for the botched circumcision on the grounds that he acted “with total disregard,” and accusing him of negligence.

Rabbi Mordechai Rosenberg, who is also an Orthodox mohel — or ritual circumciser — performed the circumcision at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh when he severed the boy’s penis — a “catastrophic and life-changing injury,” the civil suit alleges, according to The Huffington Post.


Rabbi Who Botched Circumcision Sued For Negligence; Continues Performing Procedure Even After Severing Boy's Penis