Sukie: The way that hantavirus came up is that I have a no-kill mousetrap and my boyfriend (who lived in NM for awhile) mentioned it when I was cleaning the trap out, He said Rocky shouldn't go near it (old and debilitated as he is, he's still interested in the trap, especially when there's a mouse in it). I welcome anything that gets Rocky's interest these days. He has lived with these mice around at least 4 of his nearly 8 yrs, and has caught, killed, chewed on, and carried one around from hidey-hole to hidey-hole until I picked him up with the mouse in his mouth and took it away! Plus I know (as does my bf) that hantavirus is rare here. So I wasn't worried about it. I know mice can have fleas (and other nasties) but I haven't seen any evidence of it in "my" mice. Hard as I tried, I could find nothing on ferrets and hantavirus, but I did learn that prairie dogs cannot contract or transmit it, so we don't have to worry about the BFFs, if they can get it. There are 2 species of mouse and 2 rat that are known carry and spread it. They are the Deer Mouse, White-Footed Mouse, Rice Rat and Cotton Rat. Most are found in the country, however the White-Footed Mouse is found in NYC area but generally livess outside. The mice we have are the House Mouse and they only live inside. Other rodents may carry hantavirus but have not yet been identified. BIG: My search of hantavirus cases in NYC area found 3 in Suffolk Co. and 1 somewhere else near the city. Not sure if it was CDC; I went to so many places. [Thanks. FWIW, CDC source is: <http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/noframes/epislides/episl6.htm> Note that "cases" does not necessarily mean number of people infected. One "case" might infect greater than one person. BIG] Diseases humans can get from ferrets (and vice versa): FERRETS Enteric diseases- Campylobacteriosis Influenza Tuberculosis Rabies Campylobacteriosis and Salmonellosis These two diseases are caused by bacterial organisms commonly found in many species of animals including some laboratory rodents, chickens, reptiles, cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, sheep, pigs and nonhuman primates. Rats and guinea pigs are especially susceptible to Salmonella infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial diarrheal illness in humans in the United States. Fecal-oral is the primary route of transmission between animals and from animals to people. Animals are often asymptomatic carriers of these organisms, acting as a source of infection but not demonstrating any clinical signs themselves. Signs in infected humans are characteristic of acute gastrointestinal disease including diarrhea, dehydration, nausea, fever and abdominal cramping. Influenza The influenza virus infects a number of animal species including humans, birds, ferrets, horses and pigs. Transmission is caused by aerosol exposure. The risk of humans acquiring the virus from animals is low. The virus causes an acute disease characterized by upper respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms with fever. Ferrets and rodents can be susceptible to infection from humans. Tuberculosis (TB) and other Mycobacterial Infections Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberuclosis. Cattle, humans and birds are considered the major reservoir hosts. Many animals (e.g. birds, nonhuman primates, pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, cats and ferrets) are susceptible. Transmission among animals including people is primarily by inhalation. Two forms of clinical disease can occur in infected humans: the pulmonary form and the extrapulmonary form. The former is characterized by a productive cough, fever, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss and coughing up blood. The extrapulmonary form can cause enlarged lymph nodes, meningitis, bone infection and inflammation around the heart. Other species of Mycobacterium harbored in various animals can result in human infection. Fish and amphibians have been known to transmit atypical Mycobacteriosis to humans causing "fish handler's granulomas" or "aquarist's nodules". More serious manifestations include osteomyelitis and tenosynovitis. Immunocompromised people are especially at risk. Rabies All mammals are susceptible to the rabies virus which is almost always fatal in people. Transmission is usually through exposure to the body fluids of an infected animal, primarily via bites. Aerosol transmission is possible in specialized conditions such as laboratory settings and bat caves. Clinical signs in infected humans include fever, malaise, salivation and behavioral changes which can progress to paresis, paralysis, convulsions and coma For a complete list of zoonoses involving humans and other animals go to: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/vivarium/HealthRiskAnimals.cfm BTW, I was never interested in whether I could get any disease from Rocky. Primary concern is for his health. That said, best of health to all furkids and their humans! Shron (not a vet or a Sukie) P.S. If I do ever find anything on ferrets & hantavirus, I will be sure to post it. [Posted in FML 6173]