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Memo: Disposition of Ferrets that Bite a Person

We also have an image of the letter and an Adobe Acrobat version of the letter. Please note that you will need the Acrobat Reader in order to read the Acrobat version. The scanned images are faxes of faxes and are quite blurry; we will provide more high-quality scans of the official letter when we receive snail-mailed copies.

            North Carolina

            Department of Health and Human Services

            Division of Epidemiology

 

                                    October 6, 1998



MEMORANDUM

 

To:         Local Health Directors

            Local Animal Control Departments

 

From:       Lee Hunter, D.V.M., M.P.H.

            Public Health Veterinarian

            Medical Evaluation and Risk Assessment Branch

            Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Section



            Stephanie Kordick, D.V.M.

            Public Health Veterinarian

            Medical Evaluation and Risk Assessment Branch

            Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Section



Subject:    Disposition of Ferrets that Bite a Person

 

The 1998 Compendium of Animal Rabies Control, produced by the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National

Association of State and Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV),

includes some changes regarding vaccination of ferrets for rabies

and management of ferret bites with respect to rabies control.

 

Studies conducted by CDC have demonstrated that the interval

between the time that rabies virus first shows up in saliva and the

appearance of signs of rabies in ferrets is similar to that in dogs

and cats.  Because of the information learned in these studies, the

NASPHV has recommended that ferrets that bite a person should be

confined and observed for 10 days from the time of the bite as long

as the ferret is healthy and not demonstrating signs compatible

with rabies.  This is the procedure currently recommended for dogs

and cats.  As is also recommended for dogs and cats, the ferret

should be evaluated by a veterinarian at the first sign of illness

during confinement, and such illness should be reported the local

health department.  If rabies is suspected the ferret should be

tested immediately.



If the ferret does not exhibit signs compatible with rabies during

the 10-day confinement period, post-exposure treatment may not be

warranted.  However, the final decision regarding initiation of

treatment remains between the patient and his or her physician.

 

We have contacted the Attorney General's Office regarding this

matter, and they have determined that the current statutes allow

for a 10-day confinement and observation period for ferrets as an

alternative to laboratory testing.

 

Additionally, RM Imrab 3 rabies vaccine, which is produced by

Meriel, is approved for use in ferrets.  It is license for use in

a 1mL dose to be given subcutaneously on an annual basis.  Rabies

tags and certificates may be distributed along with vaccination at

the discretion of the veterinarian.

 

If you have any questions about this memorandum, please feel free

to contact Dr. Stephanie Kordick at (919) 733-3372 or Dr. Lee

Hunter at (919) 715-6421.

 

lh

 

cc: HMT Members