I am posting anon to protect the identity of an individual I am
questioning - not myself.  I fear that if I post under my own name -
it may incriminate the person I am refering to.
 
A ferret breeder I know is HIV positive.  That breeder raises multiple
litters of kits.  The breeder is - by all definitions - a backyard breeder.
This breeder does not handle the kits until it is time for them to be sold.
While the jills are pregnant and raising kits, they bite (and draw blood)
the breeder.  So do the kits when it is time the breeder finially starts
to handle the kits.
 
My question?  Can this sort of behavior transmit HIV to the ferrets -
and thus onto the kits' new owners should they get bitten?  It may sound
stupid - but ferrets are prone to the human strain of 'flu.  Can anybody
shed some light on this?  Dr. williams - what do you think?
 
[FY]
[Posted in FML issue 3328]