If anyone on the copies list for these has not gotten some of them recently
(such as N.C., or Military), please, let me know.
 
Oh, BTW, most (though not all) of the typos in these ongoing reports are
mine.
 
If anyone gets in touch with their state policy and law makers remember to
BE POLITE.  You NEED these people's goodwill A LOT more than they need
your's.
 
This is the first I've heard of the ACIP.  Anyone have any info on them?
Live and learn...
 
Randall S. Nelson, D.V.M., Epidemiologist, Infectious Diseases Division,
State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue - MS #
11EPI, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134, (860) 509-7994; excerpts:
 
"I have been asked to respond ... on behalf of the Connecticut Department
of Public Health ... Connecticut has established a multiagency advisory
committee to consider rabies related issues.  Recommendations of the
committee for rabies prevention after potential human exposures reflect
those of the Immunization Practises Advisory Committee (ACIP) and the
National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV).
 
As you point out in your letter, the NASPHV, in the Compendium for Animal
Rabies Control, 1998, has recommended that the guidelines for cats and dogs
be applied to ferrets.  In Connecticut, a quarantine period of 14 days is
currently required for healthy cats and dogs that bite people and usually
also used for other domestic animals.  Results of research indicate that a
similar quarantine period would be sufficient to protect people bitten by
ferrets."
 
BTW, in case you are wondering -- when the letters appear to be all or
mostly here I will be sending on photostats to several groups and
individuals, some of which have a history of making copies of documents
available to those who need them.  We have neither a photocopying machine
nor a fax, so, please, realize that we can't do this for you -- though, if
there was a pressing emergency Steve and I would certainly make an exception
to save a ferret.
 
Re: chocolate -- have not seen any research work ever done to find if it
actually is a problem in moderate amounts for healthy ferrets, but if any
heart problems are present (diagnosed or still undiscovered) then it is
eminently wise to avoid chocolate, licorice, and a number of other
substances which affect heart rate, rhythm, or pressures.
 
Hope all had a marvelous Solstice -- fitting that the celebration of the
return of light is on the FML's anniversary (or visa versa), isn't it?  Hope
that Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are going well for you, that the New
Year finds you reasonably sober and giggling, and that you will have a
wonderful Three Kings Day.  Here's to a good time ahead for all!  Take some
time to smell the Roses, Scooters, Bandits, Furfaces, Noodles, Squirmys,
Sandhogs, Ruttles, Fluffs, and other ferrets!  Makes more sense to
appreciate what you have while you have it than to mourn its loss later.
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2165]