To Troy Lynn Eckart:  Welcome to the FML.
 
A while back (fml754, Mar 11) Ann Davis posted an a story about Troy Lynn's
effort to change the Kansas law re ferrets.  I was so inspired by that story
that I called Troy Lynn and chatted with her for an hour or so.  She has
compiled information on rabies and ferrets, as well as other info on
ferrets, that is absolutely elegant!  If anyone is attempting to change the
law in their state re ferrets and the rabies vaccine issue you really need
to get this packet of information.  Troy Lynn will send it to you for the
cost of copying and postage ($8.10).  It is quite a treatise.
 
Re; public health departments and their misinformation about ferrets.  I'm
wondering where the various health departments are getting info from.  I
wonder if there was an article recently circulated among these departments
containing the misinformation.  An infectious disease specialist (human
disease) told me that according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) the
rabies vaccine was NOT effective enough.  It just seems strange that several
different public health departments (ie kansas,new hamp,?wisconsin) appear
to be getting the same message about ferrets.  What I'm trying to ascertain
here in Wisconsin is what dept is responsible for the decision to kill
ferrets when they bite someone.  It's difficult and I think this is part of
the problem.  I've tried calling various agencies and just ask
the question- If my pet ferret bites someone, who  or which
agency will make the decision as to what will be done?  I don't have an
answer yet but I'll keep trying.
Judith K. Manning, Ph.D
Dep't. Medical Microbiology and Immunology
1300 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53706
 
[Posted in FML issue 0817]