Metzitzah b’peh, a controversial practice in which blood is sucked directly from a circumcision wound, is believed responsible for 24 cases of herpes reported since 2000, according to the city health officials.
For the most part the law has not been enforced and city officials are using community outreach to educate parents about herpes and other health risks associated with the rite.
The New York City Board of Health voted to consider a plan to waive a consent form for metzitzah b’peh and instead require hospitals to distribute a brochure on its dangers.
