Hello all! I would send this e-mail privately, but I am not quite sure who to send it to. In regards to the Chicago Ferret show coming up this weekend, I would just like to warn the people there about someone who will be coming to the show who will be bringing his currently ECE ferrets with him. He is a truck driver who usually takes his ferrets with him around the country, and who about a month ago, brought ECE home to his fuzzies. I have talked with this gentleman, strongly advising him not to take his ferrets with him to the Chicago show, but he is not sure that what his ferrets have is ECE, and he would like to enter his ferrets in some of the fun rings. I have told him just how contagious ECE is, in fact when he wanted to visit the shelter, I made him take off his shoes, not handle any of his ferrets before he came over, and spray himself down with Lysol. (Better safe than sorry) In regards to taking the ferrets to the show, he told me he would talk to the people in the show, and see what they think. He still thinks he may not have ECE, because one of his ferrets did not get as sick as the others. From what he has told me, I am 90% sure that he does have ECE. All of his ferrets are under 1 yr of age. I would hope that the people at the entrance to the show will be checking for this, his ferrets will still be having seedy and even some still green and slimy stools. I also hope that he will indeed ask before he brings his ferrets into the show. But, just in case, I wanted to warn the people running the Chicago Ferret Show. He is a very nice gentleman, a truck driver who loves to talk, but I don't think it has sunk in just what he could do by bringing these ferrets to the show. I don't think he should be barred from going to the show, he is driving 10 hours both ways just to attend it, just from bringing his ferrets in. I don't mean to cause a scare or panic, I just would hate to see what could happen. If anyone would like to know more info, please e-mail me privately. Dooks and kisses to your fuzzies, Shelley Knudsen Legion of Superferrets of Nebraska Ferret Shelter [log in to unmask] [Moderator's note: Hmmmm... I wasn't sure how to best handle this one. I do want people to be aware of possible rumors, but, then again, this is just that: an unconfirmed rumor. Neither Shelley nor myself want people to panic. But it's probably a good idea to remind people to be aware of ECE so you can take any precautions you feel prudent, anyhow. So, I called the Greater Chicago Ferret Assoc (708-442-8650) at 21:15 today to let them know about the post and let them present their side of things if they wish. I spoke to Norm there. Norm assured me they were concerned about the ECE issue. He stated several things: 1) He stated he believes that "ECE is pretty prevalent throughout the country" and that "probably most people have been exposed to it." 2) He stated that flyers will be distributed at the show warning people about the dangers of ECE and recommending that no contact with other ferrets occur. 3) Thus, because of the above, he said he believes that the only people handling a ferret should be the owner of the ferret and, if the ferret is entered, the judges. And the judges are "fully equipped" to disinfect both themselves and the tables between each ferret. Again, he stressed to me that the GCFA is indeed concerned about ECE and is by no means nonchalant. I indicated that I would post the warning and I received his permission to post his name and my summary of the conversation. I won't add any opinions of my own. BIG] [Posted in FML issue 2097]