From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-03-13 17:48:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Strep Throat
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Robmary June <fuznet@y...> wrote:
> Hey!
>
> Had a lady call me and ask if ferrets can catch strep
> from humans. Told her I was pretty sure they couldn't,
> but wanted to be positive. Can they?
Dear Mary:
The answer is no and very rarely, yes. Typically, ferrets are not
considered to be carriers or victims of "strep throat". Although
rare, dogs have been implicated in carrying the classic cause of
strep throat, the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes.
However, many other bacteria have been "accused" of causing a
syndrome like Strep throat - staphylococcus, Hemophilus influenzae,
even Neisseria. Ferret can conceivably contract staph infections
from humans, but it is more likely that they will be hit by a meteor.
If your friend or her children has Strep throat the ferrets are very
likely safe. However, it is always best, due to omnipresence of
influenza virus in the precipitation of many upper respiratory
infections, to stay away from the ferrets as much as possible in such
instances.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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