My husband wrote to defend the ferrets from that horrible outdated
bulletin
 
here is his e-mail & their response:---
 
-----Original Message-----
 
 From: CLIFF TRIBBEY
 To: [log in to unmask]
 Sent: Thu Jun 16 05:18:10 2005
 Subject: bulletin no. 9--ferrets
 
To the Health and Human Services Commisioner:
 
I have just read your bulletin.  This is so full of partial truths and
outright fabrication I don't know where to begin.  My wife and I have
had 9 ferrets over the years.  Admittedly, one was a problem biter (most
likely due to trauma as a baby).  The others have ALL been sweet, lovable
pets.  If you bothered to take the time to talk to ferret owners, you'd
find most ferrets are wonderful animals, WHEN they are treated correctly.
By the way, compare how many people are mauled and killed by dogs, as
opposed to ferrets.  But dogs are perfectly legal.  Pretty silly laws,
if you want the truth.  REmove this bulletin immediately, if you're
interested in portraying the truth.
 
signed,
Clifford Tribbey,
A proud ferret owner
 
[---- Their response ----]
 
Dear Mr. Tribbey,
 
Thank you for your email of June 16.  Commissioner Gilbertson referred
your question, regarding Epidemiology Bulletin #9, June 6, 1986,
"Ferrets -- A New Menace to Health," to me to answer.  The Bulletin you
refer to is a Bulletin issued in 1986 and, as you point out, is not up to
date.  We are discussing how to best address Epidemiology Bulletins that
were current at the time of publication but are no longer current.
 
Thank you for pointing out this one as an example of a Bulletin needing
to either be updated or withdrawn.  Our past policy has been to keep all
Bulletins available on the website.  Due to the questions raised by you
and others about this Bulletin, we are readdressing our policy.
 
Sincerely,
Louisa
 
Louisa Castrodale, DVM, MPH, Dipl ACVPM
Section of Epidemiology
Alaska Division of Public Health
3601 C Street, Suite 540
P.O. Box 240249
Anchorage, AK 99524-0249
ph. (907) 269-8002
fax (907) 562-7802
[Posted in FML issue 4916]