Message Number: SG655 | New FHL Archives Search
From: drlambson@yahoo.com
Date: 2002-08-05 07:57:48 UTC
Subject: RE: ECE
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7618113.1028534268155.JavaMail.root@scandium>

Once a ferret has been exposed to ECE it is a carrier, although it may never shed the virus (meaning exhibiting signs). Times of stress (moving, etc.) can cause them to shed the virus which means a round of antibiotics to quell it.

As far as I know ECE isn't exactly airborne, it requires contact. It doesn't even need to be direct ferret-to-ferret contact: If you handle a ferret that is a carrier of ECE and handle your own ferret afterwards without washing up and changing your clothes you will transmit it to your ferret.
Author wrote:
> I was always under the impression that once a ferret had ECE that it was
> immune and wouldn't get it again. I was just told that the virus has mutated
> and that a ferret can get it again after having it. Also is ECE a airborn virus?
> Thanks,
> Robin Jones