Guide Note:Widow Nancy Magee filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts against PetSmart in February of 2008. Magee claims that the national pet store sold a hamster infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to a woman whose organs were later donated and implanted into her husband, Thomas Magee.

The woman who originally purchased the hamster died of a stroke in April of 2005. Her liver was implanted into Thomas Magee and he died of LCMV one month later. Two other people also received organs, one died and one became ill. The hamster was tracked down, and was infected with LCMV. Fast Facts:

Thomas Magee was 54 at time of death
Hamster purchased by woman in Warwick, Rhode Island
Hearings in the case began in April 2008
LCMV is a viral infection of membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Found in rodents, usually causes flu-like symptoms in humans, but can be fatal in people with compromised immune systems

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Petsmart Hamster Virus

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Petsmart Hamster Virus News

Topix.net: Petsmart Hamster Virus
Google News: Petsmart Hamster Virus
FOXNews.com: PetSmart Sued for Hamster Blamed in Deaths of Three People (April 17, 2008)
International Herald Tribune: Petsmart Sued in Death by Hamster Virus (April 17, 2008)
BostonHerald.com: Petsmart Sued over Infected Hamster Blamed in Three Deaths (April 17, 2008)
Whitman Times (Whitman, MA): Suit: Husband’s Death Tied to Hamster (April 16, 2008)
PETA Media Center: Man's Death Has PETA Calling On PetSmart to End Animal Sales (April 16, 2008)
ABC News: Transplant Patient: Killed by Hamster Virus? (April 10, 2008)
TheBostonChannel.com: Woman Claims Sick Hamster Killed Husband (April 9, 2008)

Petsmart Hamster Virus Background

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus from Rodents
BBC News: Hamster Virus Kills Three People (May 25, 2007)
Times Online: Transplant Patients Die From Hamster Virus (May 25, 2007)

Petsmart Hamster Virus Blogs and Commentaries

Google Blog Search: Petsmart Hamster Virus
The Consumerist: Widow Sues Petsmart For Selling Killer Hamster (April 17, 2008)
MomLogic: Can Hamsters Kill? (April 14, 2008)

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Hamsters | Organ Donation | Alex Koehne

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