NEW YORK – New York City authorities are investigating the death of an infant who died after contracting herpes last year through a controversial circumcision ritual.
According to The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/yU09C5 ), the Brooklyn district attorney confirmed Wednesday the investigation into the September death was continuing.
The medical examiner's office determined the cause of death was Type 1 herpes due to "ritual circumcision with oral suction."
The ritual is almost exclusively practiced in ultra-Orthodox communities. The city has tried to work with the Hasidic community to alert it of its potential health risks.
The oral suction ritual involves removing the foreskin of the penis and then sucking the blood from the wound to clean it.
The city reported three cases of Type 1 herpes linked to the ritual in 2003-2004. One resulted in death.
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Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com
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