Hamster kills three

[normanvin]

PetSmart sued over infected hamster blamed in 3 deaths
By DENISE LAVOIE, AP
17 hours ago

BOSTON — A woman whose husband died after receiving a liver transplant infected with a rodent virus is suing PetSmart Inc., claiming the chain should have warned customers that hamsters can carry the virus.

The federal lawsuit alleges Thomas Magee, 54, and two other organ recipients died after transplants from a woman who had contracted a virus from a hamster she bought at a PetSmart store in Warwick, R.I.

Bruce Richardson, a spokesman for the Phoenix-based chain, would not comment on the lawsuit Wednesday but said the virus is rare.

"It's not a common disease in pets. It's not something that's tested routinely by us or others," Richardson said.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court last week, said a pathology report on Magee's autopsy lists the cause of death as lymphocytic choriomeningitis, a viral infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

The virus, which is found in house mice, hamsters and other rodents, usually causes only flu-like symptoms in humans, but can be serious and even fatal in people with compromised immune systems.

In May 2005, the Rhode Island Health Department confirmed that three people died after receiving organs that were infected with the rodent virus: Magee, a double-lung recipient from Massachusetts and a kidney transplant recipient from Rhode Island.

In her lawsuit, Nancy Magee says PetSmart had a duty to warn its customers that hamsters could carry the virus and that people with weakened immune systems could die from it.

Magee, who sued on behalf of herself and the couple's three children, declined to comment when reached at her home. She referred questions to her attorney, Richard Bickelman, who did not return a call Wednesday.

Thomas Magee had a liver transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital on April 10, 2005. The surgery was successful, and doctors told Nancy Magee her husband would be discharged about six days later.

But the hospital postponed Magee's release after he developed a fever and high blood pressure. On May 5, Nancy Magee was told that her husband had a virus that was causing his fever and that he would need another liver and kidney transplant as a result, according to the lawsuit. Two days later, Thomas Magee died.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Agent Smith]

It's unfortunate, but this seems more like a case of stupidity to me than anything else.

For one she should have known that you should not be bringing animals around someone who had an organ transplant. Everybody knows that they can spread disease, and for someone with a compromised immune system, it could be fatal such as in this case.

[KeithPA]

It's unfortunate, but this seems more like a case of stupidity to me than anything else.

For one she should have known that you should not be bringing animals around someone who had an organ transplant. Everybody knows that they can spread disease, and for someone with a compromised immune system, it could be fatal such as in this case.

The federal lawsuit alleges Thomas Magee, 54, and two other organ recipients died after transplants from a woman who had contracted a virus from a hamster she bought at a PetSmart store in Warwick, R.I.

Unless I'm reading it wrong. The organ donor had the virus, not the receipiant. I'm not sure what PetSmart has to do with this, the hospital is the one that should have tested for everything.

[Agent Smith]

Unless I'm reading it wrong. The organ donor had the virus, not the receipiant. I'm not sure what PetSmart has to do with this, the hospital is the one that should have tested for everything.

I think you're right. I didn't read it close enough.

In that case, yeah, I don't think PetSmart should have any liability in this.

[LowFlyer]

I think you're right. I didn't read it close enough.

In that case, yeah, I don't think PetSmart should have any liability in this.

But you know some jury is going to see it otherwise, thus letting even more people think they can sue another for whatever reason they or their lawyer can come up with.

[Agent Smith]

But you know some jury is going to see it otherwise, thus letting even more people think they can sue another for whatever reason they or their lawyer can come up with.

Unfortunately, that's usually how it turns out.

[jsb889]

Grasping at straws trying to sue Petsmart. If they win it, I'll be surprised, and looking into Canadian gun laws

[D-FENS]

That's like suing the guy that gave my hooker the clap...


/it burns