Thanks to several folks in Michigan (including Dee and the wonderful couple
I briefly met in Florida but whose name skimmed off my hard head) and Jeanne
in California (who had the press release on file) I now have copies of both
the Michigan memo to all local health departments (received by fax by the
Kent City Health Department on 1/20/98 but dated 1/5/98 and including the
relevant Compendium pages), and of the Michigan press release from 11/4/97.
Mary Grace Stobierski, DVM, MPH.  Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Division, through David R. Johnson, MD, MPH, Community Public Health, 3423
N. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd, P.O. Box 30195, Lansing, MI 48909; excerpts
from memo to local health departments:
 
"To Rabies Contact Persons & Medical Directors
Michigan Local Health Departments"
 
"There has been much new rabies information released in the past few
months... Please share it with health care providers in your communities..."
 
"2.  1998 Compendium of Animal Rabies Control... Note: ferrets that have
bitten a person are now handled the same way as dogs and cats: a 10 day
post-bite observation period is now advised"
 
"(a) DOGS, CATS, AND FERRETS
All dogs, cats and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies at 3 months
of age and revaccinated in accordance with Part II of this Compendium."
 
"2.  STRAY ANIMALS
Stray dogs, cats, or ferrets should be removed from the community.  Local
health departments and animal control officials can enforce the removal of
strays more effectively if owned animals are confined or kept on a leash.
Stray should be impounded for at least 3 days to give owners sufficient time
to reclaim animals and to determine if human exposure has occurred."
 
"3. QUARANTINE
(a) INTERNATIONAL
CDC regulates the importation of dogs and cats into the United States, but
present PHS regulations (42 CFR No.  71.51) governing the importation of
such animals are insufficient..." This part does not mention ferrets but
this IS apparently an overlooked area in the Michigan rules which locals to
the state might want to logically address.  Mentioned herein is the Division
of Quarantine, CDC 404-639-8107, so I guess that's yet one more place to
contact to clarify matters."
 
"(b) INTERSTATE
Prior to interstate movement, dogs, cats, and ferrets should be currently
vaccinated against rabies..."
 
"4. ADJUNCT PROCEDURES
Methods or procedures which enhance rabies control include:
(a) LICENSURE.  Registration or licensure of all dogs, cats, and ferrets
    may be used...
(b) CANVASSING OF AREA...
(c) CITATIONS...
(D) ANIMAL CONTROL..."
 
"5.  POSTEXPOSURE MANAGEMENT
ANY ANIMAL BITTEN OF SCRATCHED BY A WILD, CARNIVOROUS MAMMAL OR A BAT THAT
IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR TESTING SHOULD BE REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN EXPOSED TO
RABIES.
   (a) DOGS, CATS, AND FERRETS Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed
   to a rabid animal should be euthanized immediately.  If the owner is
   unwilling to have this done, the animal should be placed in strict
   isolation for 6 months and vaccinated 1 month before being released.
   Animals with expired need to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
   Dogs, cats, and ferrets that are currently vaccinated should be
   revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner's control , and observed
   for 45 days."
 
"6.  MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS THAT BITE HUMANS
A healthy dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person should be confined and
observed for 10 days: it is recommended that rabies vaccine not be
administered during the observation period.  Such animals should be
evaluated by a veterinarian at the first sign of illness...if signs
suggestive of rabies develop, the animal should be euthanized..."
 
For those who don't know, if no signs develop, the animal is then seen by a
vet before release, and then released from quarantine.
 
Now you have the info for Michigan, too!
[Posted in FML issue 2202]