I've got just enough time for a few sentences and far more informative
links to help, and this topic plus clarification are SO important for
all that I will send it to the FHL, too, so the info and links of these
resources wind up in two archives and most able to help many that way:

Canine Distemper CAN be transmitted on shoes or other clothing -- IF
fresh enough. When we have one who can not be vaccinated we leave shoes
outside our door or hang them inside in plastic bags that can't be
reached. Note that the fatty layer shielding the virus lasts longer in
colder temperatures so it persists longer in the cold, and one resource
also says if the environment is moist (which makes sense to me).

If you have other sources for exposure, especially if you work with
animals which have a high rate of infection (animal shelter, wildlife
rehab) you will need to wait long enough or clean well, or both before
interactions, and ask your vet for advice on how to manage that well
enough.

Note that the time frames differ in the quoted sections so be safest by
going with the longer ones while knowing that perhaps risk is greatly
reduced after the shorter ones (since i don't know I emphasize
"perhaps" for safety's sake)

Here are some resources:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_distemper.html
which includes
>The distemper virus consists of a single strand of RNA, encased in a
>protein coat which is again encased in a fatty envelope. This sounds
>esoteric but the fatty envelope makes all the difference in the world.
>The fatty envelope is easily disrupted in the environment which makes
>it impossible for infectious virus to persist in the environment.
>Because an intact fatty envelope is required for infection, virus
>transmission must involve dog to dog contact or at least contact with
>extremely fresh (less than 30 minutes old) infected body secretions. As
>with other viruses, living virus happily freezes and can survive for
>years if kept frozen and protected from light. Routine disinfection
>and cleaning readily kills the distemper virus in the kennel setting.

and
>The infected dog typically infects other dogs via coughing infected
>respiratory secretions though the virus is shed in most other body
>secretions including urine.

http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/distemper/index.shtml
includes
>Transmission
>Infected dogs shed the virus through bodily secretions and excretions,
>especially respiratory secretions. The primary mode of transmission is
>airborne viral particles that dogs breathe in. Dogs in recovery may
>continue to shed the virus for several weeks after symptoms disappear,
>but they no longer shed the virus once they are fully recovered.
>
>It is possible for humans to contract an asymptomatic (subclinical) CDV
>infection. Anyone who has been immunized against measles (a related
>virus) is protected against CDV as well.
>

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-26505--,00.html
includes
>Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease of carnivores caused by
>a paramyxovirus. The virus is widespread and mortality in juveniles is
>higher than in adults. The canine distemper virus is very resistant to
>cold and the majority of distemper cases in domestic dogs are seen in
>the fall and winter. In wild animals, since the juveniles are more
>susceptible to infection, the majority of cases are seen in the spring
>and summer, but cases are observed year round.
>
>Transmission
>Transmission occurs via an aerosol-droplet route, direct contact, or
>possibly by contact with contaminated objects. It is uncertain whether
>carrier or unapparent infections exist. The virus is shed in the
>feces and urine of infected individuals and some evidence exists for
>transplacental transmission. The usual route of infection is through
>the upper respiratory tract, following inhalation of infective virus.
>Occasionally infection occurs from ingestion of infective material.
>Following entry into the upper respiratory tract, the virus is spread
>to the tonsils and lymph nodes, where viral replication occurs.

http://www.sheltermedicine.com/portal/is_canine_distempervirus.shtml
includes
>Transmission and control
>Canine distemper virus is shed in all body secretions of acutely
>infected animals. It can be spread by direct contact, by aerosol or
>respiratory droplet exposure. Although the virus does not survive long
>in the environment, it can be transmitted by fomites such as hands,
>feet, or instruments over a short time/distance. Virus can be shed by
>subclinically or mildly infected animals; such animals probably play
>an important role in maintaining the virus in a chronically infected
>shelter population. Therefore, careful isolation of all dogs with upper
>respiratory signs -always a good idea- is especially important in a
>shelter where distemper is a concern.
>
and
>Distemper survives no more than a few hours at room temperature. Cold
>and moist conditions increase survival, and it can last for several
>weeks at near freezing temperatures. The virus is readily inactivated
>by most commonly used disinfectants. Routine hygienic precautions
>are generally adequate to prevent spread.The most important factor
>in shelter decontamination is quarantine/removal of incubating and
>mildly/subclinically affected animals.

each of those resources has a LOT more info!

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 6018]