From:
Mimsy_01
Date: 2002-05-03 02:29:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Aleutians Disease Virus
Hmm..well I agree to a point that ADV has yet to be substantiated
as to whether it's very contagious, or difficult to transmitt. There
are no *real* numbers of how many adv kids there are. Plus you
couple that with all the problems some of us have had with a
certain test...it makes it rather confusing.
But....it has not been substantiated that there is not a problem
either.
Which to me, is a good reason to test and support researchers.
It definately IS a real disease (only how vastly spread, or how it's
transmitted is being questioned, I think)..and personally, it's not
so expensive that there is a reason not to test. It's much easier
to treat an ill ferret, if you know why they are ill. And then if we do
find it's highly contagious...well, if we have tested we already
won part of that battle. Wish I could test for lymphosarcoma and
adrenal as easily...I'd do everyone, for those too, coming into the
shelter.
Though, I think taking precautions against careless spread of
any disease is the right thing to do. I don't think that treating
those living with ADV as outsiders is a right way to think. We all
have seen studies showing that lymphosarcoma seems to
come in clusters. I can name a lot more cases of that, than I can
ADV too. Yet obviously outcasting those living with
lymphosarcmo is ridiculas. The big concern should be
investigating the actual disease and not so much whispering
about others statis, their idea's of it, their methods of
isolation..ect.
Kristine