I have been told that two studies, one French, one German, have established
the shedding period* of rabies in ferrets to be 4 to 6 days.  If the Center
for Disease Control in the US accepts the validity of these studies that
will be a MAJOR step forward!  If I find out any more, I'll be sure to post
it.  Bill
 
*The shedding period is the amount of time that it takes for an animal infected
 with rabies to show symptoms of the disease.  This is very important, since
 ferrets suspected of having rabies are now routinely killed since it is not
 known for how long they must be quarantined to be certain that rabies is not
 present.  Generally speaking, the fact that a ferret has been vaccinated for
 rabies does NOT prevent the killing since the shedding period is unknown!
 (This is unlike cats and dogs, which are quarantined for the duration of the
 shedding period provided proof of vaccination can be produced).
 
[Posted in FML issue 0251]