Lee Hunter, D.V.M., M.P.H., Public Health Veterinarian, Medical Evaluation
and Risk Assessment Branch, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology
Section, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, P.O. BOx
29601, Raleigh, N.C.  27626-0601, (919) 733-3410; excerpt:
 
"...The North Carolina laws governing the protection of public health
following exposure to rabies were obviously written prior to the release of
the scientific studies you cite.  Because they were, the Office of the
Attorney Genreal has been asked to give their opinion if the laws as they
are currently written would allow ferrets to be quarantined following the
bite of a person as are dogs and cats.  Their opinion would be sought to
determine what should be done to clarify or update the laws to relect the
new information.  That letter was sent within the past month.  The date of
their reply is unknown..."
 
So, basically, North Carolina's Public Health Veterinarian has initiated
procedures to protect ferrets, and has to wait for another office to make
the next move in their advice on whether ferrets can be put into the
quarantine law as a policy change, or as a modification, or as a new law,
depending on how N.C.'s law is written.  Until that's known a time table
can't be known.  Still, these are the RIGHT moves and folks are going toward
what will save North Carolina ferrets so they deserve our thanks.
 
I enjoyed MacDuff's sentimental description.  It was sweet.
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2163]