I was visiting my local people doctor a few days ago and noticed this bulletin tacked on the wall : [I'd like to find the folx who wrote this and correct them on it...] (without permission) "The New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services' Epidemiology Bulletin Volume VIII Number 2 .. March - April, 1993 Health Advisory FERRETS POSE RABIES RISK Ferrets are now available for purchase as pets in New Hampshire. Although they appear cute and playful, the public needs to be fully informed about the potential danger of injury and rabies from these animals. Ferrets, which are being sold commercially as pets, were developed from European polecats as fierce and aggressive fighters used for capturing and killing rats, rabbits, and snakes. They are not afraid of people and remain potentially dangerous, especially around infants, because of their tendency to attack without warning. A California Department of Health Services study of 452 ferret attacks on humans in 18 states and London, England occuring from 1978 through 1987 included 64 unprovoked attacks on infants and young children. Many of the children's injuries were severe and required plastic and reconstructive surgery. Most of these injuries were located in the head and throat areas; and most attacks occured when the victims were lying down or sleeping, often when adults were not present. It is thought that human infant sounds (such as sucking on pacifiers and baby bottles), odors and behavior which are similar to those of baby rabbits, which are natural prey for ferrets, may be trigger for ferret attacks. Two years ago, a 2-1/2 month old baby was killed by a pet ferret in Oregon. Ferrets are also considered to be high risk animals for rabies with at least 12 documented cases record in the United States. Rabid ferrets have been found in pet shops, people's homes and in the wild. There is a rabies vaccine available which offers some protection for the ferret. However, so little is known about the period of infectiousness and the clinical signs of rabies disease in this animal that the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services and the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that any ferret (immunizied or unimmunized) which has exposed a human by its saliva through a bite or by salivary, brain, or spinal cord tissue contamination of a person's eye, inside of the nose, or mouth or contamination of a scratch, abrasion or open wound should be killed immediately and examined in the laboratory for rabies. In one instance where a rabid ferret had been taken to school in another state, over two dozen people were exposed to rabies. Ferrets are very skillful at escaping from cages and from houses; so the ferret which is caged indoors cannot be considered safe for people in the house and people in the neighborhood, epecially infants. New Hampshire residents are urged to consider the potential risks of ferret ownership for themselves and especially their children before they buy these animals as pets." #eof (all typos are mine) [Posted in FML issue 0529]