To the Editor:

Re “A Bad Call on Risky Circumcisions” (editorial, Feb. 28), about New York City’s efforts to reduce cases of herpes simplex virus-1 infection in infants after direct oral suction:

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has documented 17 cases, including two infant deaths, related to this practice since 2000. We believe that education and cooperation are the more successful approach to protecting infants, which remains my overarching goal.

The implementation of any health policy is more likely to succeed when it is supported by the community it aims to help. This is especially true when the policy involves a deeply held religious practice.

The requirement that mohelim (circumcisers) obtain parental consent forms generated tremendous opposition and made implementation not practically possible. Simply put, the current approach is not feasible, and we must try something different.

The Board of Health will be asked to weigh the repeal of this rule with the department’s plan to focus on education. Information about the risks of direct oral suction will be distributed in hospitals, community health centers and other settings where trusted medical professionals can offer advice. The community, for the first time, has agreed to cooperate during investigations of any newborn herpes cases.