Dear Margie: >Question: A friend of mine got a pet store kit for herself for Christmas. >How contagious is ECE for me to visit her, if I don't handle the ferret? >My kids ages range from 1 1/3 to 4 years old. > >There is no way I want to put my kids in any jeopardy, please advise. Unfortunately, pet store kits are now the #1 transmitters of ECE, and the coronavirus that causes it is contagious enough that handling the kits isn't necessary. No jeopardy? No visit. However, an acceptable risk would be a visit, followed by stripping down and showering and washing your clothes immediately when you get home before visiting your own ferrets. Shoes too - you can track in the virus. The threat of ECE does not mean all social interactions stop; it means that you are wary, and understand the risks involved. Tell your friend I said Hi! With kindest regards, Bruce Williams [Posted in FML issue 3286]