Will have to read a 13 page March 19, 1996 "Protocol for Animal Isolation,
Animal Bites, and Rabies Prophylaxis" which was the ONLY thing that Idaho
sent to know if they are saying that they've have quarantine for a while or
if the person responding was so far unaware of the 1998 Compendium.  So will
write later; might have them on the "Contact again" list.
 
Meanwhile:  I have gotten letters today from: Kansas, Wisconsin and Colorado.
 
Colorado:  John Pape, Epidemiologist IV; excerpts:
" ... Our rabies policy has always been more liberal than national
recommendations due to the current absence of terrestrial mammal rabies in
Colorado.  We have, therefore, for over ten years allowed quarantine of
ferrets involved in human bites provided that certain criteria were met.  A
30-day observation period was used.
 
With the completion of the rabies virus shedding studies ... we will be
revising our policy to reflect this change.  Essentially, this will change
the required quarantine period to 10 days, effective upon the publication of
the 1998 _Compendium of Animal Rabies Control_ early next year.  ..."
 
Kansas:  Gail R. Hansen, DVM, MPH; excerpts:
"The Compendium on Animal Rabies Control, 1998 has not yet been published or
distributed, nor have all the studies you alluded to in your letter.  The
Kansas Department of Health and Environment began the process of amending
the regulations ... in expectation that the studies and compendium will be
published.  The process of amending regulations began on November 2, 1997
and minimum time from submission to the time regulations take effect is 16
weeks (last week of February, 1998).  The actual length of time varies
depending on the number of regulations submitted by other agencies, the
amount of time since the last revision, recommendations made during the
comment period, and other factors.  Until such time as the amendments are
adopted and become the new regulations, the regulations last amended in 1996
are law in Kansas.
 
... if a case goes to court, judgement is usually determined by law rather
than recommendation...
 
... I am not aware of any state that will not recognize the studies, once
they are published in a refereed journal..."
 
Wisconsin: James J. Kazmierczak, DVM, MS; excerpts:
"1. I am the person who made the decision to change our policy to reflect
the findings of the KSU/CDC ferret shedding study.  The decision was
approved by our state epidemiologist, Dr. Jeffrey Davis.
 
2. The policy change went into effect on November 14, when I notified local
public health departments in Wisconsin of the change in policy - i.e., that
ferrets which bite humans be managed in the same manner as biting dogs and
cats ...
 
Eventually, when the state rabies control statutes are revised, the policy
changes will be codified in statute, but there is no pressing need to do so
immediately..."
[Posted in FML issue 2142]