Here's some info directly from Dr. Rupprecht, Chief, Rabies Section, CDC.
tle -I have a few questions that perhaps you can answer or guide me on -
What North American rabies strains have been officially tested on dogs?
What NA rabies strains have been officially tested on cats?
In what journals were these studies published or were can I find the
data? ( I do have the Natural History of Rabies, 2nd Edition)
Swab testing is performed in the shedding studies. Is this an accurate way
to determine if the virus is present in the saliva? Is there some reason
this procedure couldn't be employed in a ferret bite case, particularly a
ferret that is currently vaccinated with the approved vaccine and has not
been exposed to rabies vectors?
Dr. R. - Dogs and cats have been found naturally infected with rabies virus
variants found in all of the major reservoirs within NA (bat, coyote,
raccoon, skunk, fox, etc.) and have been experimentally challenged with the
same both here at CDC and elsewhere (you may find some of these data in the
Fekadu chapter in TNHR book; another good early reference is Vaughn et al
1965 JAMA 193:363-8); regardless of origin, the 10 day confinement period
for the biting dog/cat holds (which may not be true for other species not
examined).
It takes very specialized procedures to detect rabies virus in the saliva of
animals via swabbing, and excretion of virus may be intermittent, so the
potential for a false negative is rather high, partially explaining the SOP
for dog/cat euthanasia when suspicious of rabies and examination of CNS
material (not swabs or salivary glands). Regards. CR.
tle - What rabies virus variants have ferrets been found to be naturally
infected with?
Dr. R. - To date (of those that have been analyzed since 1980) they have
been skunk and raccoon in the USA and fox in Europe. CR.
----
tle - What does this mean? Read on.
Shedding studies have been performed on these strains.
Skunk - Study determined that ferrets do not secrete this strain in their
saliva, with death occurring by day 5.
Raccoon - Study determined that ferrets may secrete the virus in their
saliva 2-3 days before showing symptoms, with death occurring by day 8
with an average of 4-5 days.
Fox - Study determined that ferrets do not secrete this strain in their
saliva, with death occurring by day 7.
In addition, CDC reports only 21 rabid ferrets since 1958 (as of December
1996). There has never been a transmission of rabies from a ferret to a
human or other animal and there are no mustelid strains of the virus.
Now take that to your state animal health, public health, and epidemiology
depts as well as local agencies. If your state doesn't have ferret friendly
statutes find out what you can do to change them BEFORE you face a lethal
situation like Kodo. Do it for your little ones and for others that don't
have the wonderful resources of the fml.
Keep the "powers that be" current on ferret and rabies data and you may
possibly avoid a future lethal situation for yourself, your neighbor or
that person on the other side of your state.
Hugs to all and keep sending emails and faxes to Michigan Officials. tle
[Posted in FML issue 1937]
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