There has been some confusion about what is flu and what passes between
humans and ferrets.  Its too bad that absolute rage *usually in private
email) has been expressed at those of us who question what this really is.
 
From http://www.netdoor.com/com/entinfo/flu.html
by Peter J. Casano, M.D.
 
:THE FLU
:
:Definition - A specific viral disease characterized by fever, runny nose,
:cough, headache, malaise and swollen nose and throat mucous membranes.
 
http://indy.radiology.uiowa.edu/Providers/Publications/RXUpdate/10.October.html
Mary Ross, R.Ph., M.B.A.
 
:What is influenza ("FLU")?
:A viral infection of the nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs that can
:make someone of any age ill.
 
It appears that someone wants this disease to be influenza to implicate
people instead of passing it between ferrets.  But none of the symptoms
listed are influenza symptoms.  They could be gastroenteritis if that
disease can pass to ferrets.  They do point strongly to ECE with no real
differences noted.  Care should be taken with this disease whether it is ECE
or not.  We are aware that some vets have discussed seeing ECE showing up in
different forms possibly because of mutated viruses.
 
The stomach flu is something else.
 
http://www.uiowa.edu/~famprac/diarr.htm
 
:Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by a number of illnesses including
:the stomach flu, caused by a virus (gastroenteritis), and food poisoning.
 
The comma in this case might confuse that stomach "flu" is gastroenteritis.
 
http://www.nwu.edu/health/flushots.html
Northwestern University Health Service
:No. Influenza viruses are different from cold viruses or gastroenteritis
:(stomach "flu") viruses.
 
We've always heard that the influenza virus can pass between ferrets and
humans.  We've never heard that gastroenteritis.  Could a vet or
epidemiologist please confirm whether this virus is also shared between
these species or the link between people and ferrets in these cases is
co-incidental.  There is also confusion about the cold as opposed to flu
virus.
 
We hope if people learn that their ferret could be infectious they will not
put it into a ferret show just to get a ribbon.  Most of us who go to a lot
of shows would scratch an entry if it was likely to be any danger in passing
any disease.  We are also picky about which shows we go to avoiding those
with sponsors who don't make what we consider appropriate efforts to reduce
the risks.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1834]