Got three letters yesterday:
 
C.W. Ridley D.V.M., State Veterinarian, State House Station 28, Augusta,
Maine, (203) 287-04333; excerpts written on my own letter and signed, plus
card sent:
 
"The Maine rabies work group"  makes the decision on quarantine
 
"Next Legislative Seession, Jan, '98" when the change to be accordance with
the compendium will be in place.
 
Kathleen A. Smith, DVM, MPH, Ohio Department of Health, 246 High Street,
P.O. Box 118, Columbus, OH 43266-0118, (614) 466-3543; excerpts:
 
"... I am the specialist who usually makes quarantine/testing
recommendations ... Department of Health faxed a notice to all health
departments the weeks of November 10th stating that CDC studies have shown
that a 10 day quarantine is appropriate for ferrets (e.g. handle like
dogs/cats).
 
Ohio does not have state regulations regarding ownership of ferrets ,
although some local communities include them under their wild animal
ordinances.  Some of them may change with an approved vaccine and now an,
a recommended quarantine period...
 
We are one of the few states that do not routinely require pet vaccination.
With the advent of raccoon rabies into Ohio, we are currently looking at
state-wide legislation to require the vaccination of pets.  The draft
includes dogs, cats and ferrets..."
 
Okay, now Hawaii.  I had mentioned wanting to know if they would go with a
quarantine for ferrets which had been implicated and then humane export them
to a legal area.  Guess we have to influence another department.  Here's
what I got:
 
David M. Sasaki, D.V.M., M.P.H., State Public Health Veterinarian,
Department of Health, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, Hawaii 96801
 
"The State of Hawaii does not permit entry of ferrets into the State, and
the studies you mentioned in your letter, does not change conditions of
entry.
 
If you need further information, you may contact the Hawaii Department of
Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch.  This group regulates importation of
plants and animals into the State."
[Posted in FML issue 2148]