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NYC Official Condemns Bris-Related Ritual

‘Metzitzah b’peh,’ involving oral suction, can spread fatal herpes

by
Marc Tracy
June 07, 2012
A bris being performed.(eks4003/Flickr)
A bris being performed.(eks4003/Flickr)

New York City’s health commissioner has stated unequivocally that metzitzah b’peh, the ritual followed by some in the traditionally Orthodox community wherein the mohel sucks blood from the wound following a bris, absolutely should not be performed. He also announced that several hospitals, including ones that serve neighborhoods with many traditionally Orthodox residents, will distribute a “Before the Bris” brochure, which condemns the practice.

“There is no safe way to perform oral suction on any open wound in a newborn,” he stated.

In this week’s mortality and morbidity report, the Centers for Disease Control announced that from the end of 2000 through 2011, it learned of 11 children contracted herpes simplex virus following a bris; of these, 10 were hospitalized, and two died. In all cases, there is evidence that metzitzah b’peh was additionally performed.

Marc Tracy is a staff writer at The New Republic, and was previously a staff writer at Tablet. He tweets @marcatracy.