Harry Silvis wrote:
>Now the facts are, in 1996 there were two humans in the US that contracted
>rabies.  Both were rat borne strains.
 
This is probably just a typo on your part, but I'm sure you meant to refer
to 'bat strain' not 'rat strain'.
 
>On August 25 post here there was a list of ferret confirmed with rabies for
>the last 25 years.  The author did not cite where they came from.
 
That was my post.  I was given the list from Troy Lynn Eckhart, who has some
contacts at the CDC, so I trusted the numbers as accurate.
 
>What I need is some concrete information and help from all of you!  We need
>to put together a credable report based on CDC, and other data on ferrets
>and rabies.  We can then use this scientific report to start to change the
>attitudes and laws on Ferrets.
 
<snip - additional info sent private email>
Bat strain of rabies is the remaining issue at this point.  Some health
officials are digging in their heels on a quarantine period until the study
is done.  I understand the results should be out in October.  Hopefully this
will be in time to change the Compendium on Animal Rabies Control to add
quarantine period recommendations for ferrets.  And hopefully that will be
the beginning of the end of the needless kill and test policies
 
>My personal feelings right or wrong are that MF created the Domestic ferret
>market, they should be bearing the costs of completing these studies.
 
I don't agree that this is entirely their responsibility, however they are
supplying ferrets for the shed studies.
 
Ilena Ayala
Rabies Resources for Ferret Lovers are at:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ilena/rabies.htm
[Posted in FML issue 2071]