Swine Flu Precautions

As many of you may have heard, we are currently facing a possible major outbreak of Swine Flu. Based on information available at this time, the Alert Level has been raised to Level 5.

Ferrets as a rule are not susceptible to the Rhino Virus (the common cold). However, they are susceptible to a flu virus. The ones most prone to coming down with the virus would be ferrets with a compromised immune system (currently taking Prednisone for insulinoma, etc) and possibly young kits. This does not mean that a healthy ferret could not contract the virus. In response to the need to protect our ferrets, I am suggesting the following precautions:

• Wash your hands before handling your ferrets when you return from being outside of your home. Follow this up with an antibacterial hand cleaner.
• Try to keep your hands away from your mouth and nose.
• If you should show signs of illness, wear a face mask when around the ferrets and try to minimize contact with them and their surroundings. If you have a spouse, partner or family member who is not ill, ask them if they could take over some of the ferret chores until you are feeling better.
• Keep your ferrets away from any contact with someone from outside your home. Consider any visitor a potential carrier of the flu virus.
• If your ferret begins to show signs of flu-type symptoms, contact your vet immediately and quarantine the sick ferret, so as not to spread the virus to your other ferrets.

All this might be for naught, but until we know more about the impact of this flu virus, precautionary steps should be taken to protect your ferrets.

I have contacted the Massachusetts State Veterinary office for any additional suggestions on ways to protect our ferrets. As I receive any information, I will post it to our website and to the Forum.

Phyllis Spy
President, MaFF