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Bad Guy RodentPro- Zoonotic disease warning

Lucille said:
Chris, can you please cite evidence for this claim? It is a central concern and so far I have not seen ANY scientific evidence.
Click to expand...

I think I may have improperly explained what I was saying. I was referring to ALL viruses. The vast majority of strains of viruses can not transfer from species to species (your dog will never catch your cold). That is a simple fact about viruses. There are rare cases where viruses CAN go from species to species, such as chicken pox, some strains of ebola, and this particular Zoonotic disease, among others.

I was not saying that frozen rats were safer in this particular instance. They are not. I was saying that the idea that the previous poster was commenting on was based on the idea that in general, frozen rats are safer than live rats. These particular frozen rats that are carrying this particular Zoonotic disease are, in all likelihood, just as dangerous as live.

I hope I have cleared up my point.
 
Are you saying that frozen infected mice are not safer than live infected mice?
 
Lucille said:
Are you saying that frozen infected mice are not safer than live infected mice?
Click to expand...

With regard to this particular issue (As it is a virus strain that has proven itself to capable of infecting both mice and people), I am saying that they should be just as likely to infect people as live infected mice. Or, at least, likely enough that precautions should be taken.
 
Lucille said:
The CDC hasn't said it here or in any kind of email posted here, the OP said they said something. The requested name of the epidemiologist has not been given.
I really think more is needed here. Of course either way, Rodent Pro might be wise to address the issue.
Click to expand...

What most customers do not realize is RP brokers most of their rodents. The outbreak started at one of their breeder's (Dennis Bitner) facilities several months ago. I found out a couple of month ago they were shut down to the point of no return. CDC and Homeland Security were on site to oversee containment. They were ordered to dispose of all animals and equipment including frozen stock. Breeder racks were burned and animals were buried. The facility is only a few miles from my house.

I was given this information from someone that has no hand in the reptile or rodent business. They are a good friend that knows I keep snakes and recently started my own rodent colony. She got the information from a person that worked at the facility and was just making small talk. The employee said it started with one person becoming very ill and it was then spread to the owner and another employee.

Not only has this caused a major problem on the local level, but it has obviously affected folks across the US.
 
Brandon Osborne said:
What most customers do not realize is RP brokers most of their rodents. The outbreak started at one of their breeder's (Dennis Bitner) facilities several months ago. I found out a couple of month ago they were shut down to the point of no return. CDC and Homeland Security were on site to oversee containment. They were ordered to dispose of all animals and equipment including frozen stock. Breeder racks were burned and animals were buried. The facility is only a few miles from my house.

I was given this information from someone that has no hand in the reptile or rodent business. They are a good friend that knows I keep snakes and recently started my own rodent colony. She got the information from a person that worked at the facility and was just making small talk. The employee said it started with one person becoming very ill and it was then spread to the owner and another employee.

Not only has this caused a major problem on the local level, but it has obviously affected folks across the US.
Click to expand...

Just a reminder, 3rd party information is not allowed without naming the party, regardless of their association with the industry.
 
Brandon Osborne said:
What most customers do not realize is RP brokers most of their rodents. The outbreak started at one of their breeder's (Dennis Bitner) facilities several months ago. I found out a couple of month ago they were shut down to the point of no return. CDC and Homeland Security were on site to oversee containment. They were ordered to dispose of all animals and equipment including frozen stock. Breeder racks were burned and animals were buried. The facility is only a few miles from my house.

I was given this information from someone that has no hand in the reptile or rodent business. They are a good friend that knows I keep snakes and recently started my own rodent colony. She got the information from a person that worked at the facility and was just making small talk. The employee said it started with one person becoming very ill and it was then spread to the owner and another employee.

Not only has this caused a major problem on the local level, but it has obviously affected folks across the US.
Click to expand...
Were there any local news stories or media coverage of this event? An event this big should have gotten at least local media coverage.
 
No there was not. And I considered this question myself. Even though our county has been under a complete burn ban, you could see smoke from smoldering fires for several days.
 
I'm wondering if they put the hush on. And if they did, why it wasn't done here.
Here is part of a description saying something about 'weaponized', anyone know what that means?


Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) 424-8802. For References, Please See: Key References Cited/Used*
in National Response Team (NRT) Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) for Biological Warfare Agents.
Agent Classification: Biological Type: Virus (Arenaviridae) CDC Class: A Bio-Safety Level: 4
Warning: This virus is highly infectious and causes severe human disease. Responders should only risk exposure if deemed absolutely necessary by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control practices deemed adequate by SMEs are rigorously observed.
Description: The lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an enveloped RNA virus that is transmitted by rodents. This virus is spread through contact with urine, saliva, blood, or feces of infected hosts (e.g., rodents). Airborne transmission and contact with contaminated surfaces is also possible. If weaponized, this virus may be highly aerosol- izable.
 
Lucille said:
I'm wondering if they put the hush on. And if they did, why it wasn't done here.
Here is part of a description saying something about 'weaponized', anyone know what that means?


Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) 424-8802. For References, Please See: Key References Cited/Used*
in National Response Team (NRT) Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) for Biological Warfare Agents.
Agent Classification: Biological Type: Virus (Arenaviridae) CDC Class: A Bio-Safety Level: 4
Warning: This virus is highly infectious and causes severe human disease. Responders should only risk exposure if deemed absolutely necessary by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control practices deemed adequate by SMEs are rigorously observed.
Description: The lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an enveloped RNA virus that is transmitted by rodents. This virus is spread through contact with urine, saliva, blood, or feces of infected hosts (e.g., rodents). Airborne transmission and contact with contaminated surfaces is also possible. If weaponized, this virus may be highly aerosol- izable.
Click to expand...

That probably explains why Homeland Security got involved.....
 
Well, any disease could be made into a biological weapon, and LCMV would be aerosolized rather than spread by powder. It's just information. Since LCMV has no cure and theoretically could be spread easily by wild rodents, it has the potential to be an attractive candidate for improper use.

BTW, 9 of RP's workers sought medical attention, 13 of the 52 reported in the article tested positive. I don't know where the outbreak began, but it certainly spread through the RP facility for whatever reason.
 
Excuse the double post, but I don't see how to edit. I did read that specimens, even fecal samples, that need to be sent to a lab for testing are to be sent frozen. That would seem to indicate that freezing at the temperatures of a typical freezer would in fact preserve the enveloped virus. Now, if it can go through a freeze-thaw cycle and retain viability seems to be the question I suppose.
 
ok.. this was just posted by Jeff @ kingsnake.com on facebook.

http://www.kingsnake.com/rodentpro.jpg


Basically, it's a photo of a letter by RP official statement to customers. RP was NOT the one that was infected. It was one of the several companies that sell TO THEM. Because RP has many brokers they could continue to ship out orders to people using stock from these other places. Only 14 customers were determined to have possibly received contaminated stock from the infected supplier and those customers had been contacted by CDC. So unless any of you were among those 14 contacted by the CDC you have nothing to freaking worry about - get over yourselves. you are not going to die from the proverbial plague.
 
if this virus is passed by airborne means(aerosol) then frozen mice do present less risk than live. Frozen mice are no longer breathing.
 
Wraith said:
ok.. this was just posted by Jeff @ kingsnake.com on facebook.

http://www.kingsnake.com/rodentpro.jpg


Basically, it's a photo of a letter by RP official statement to customers. RP was NOT the one that was infected. It was one of the several companies that sell TO THEM. Because RP has many brokers they could continue to ship out orders to people using stock from these other places. Only 14 customers were determined to have possibly received contaminated stock from the infected supplier and those customers had been contacted by CDC. So unless any of you were among those 14 contacted by the CDC you have nothing to freaking worry about - get over yourselves. you are not going to die from the proverbial plague.
Click to expand...

And RP communicating this to it's customers would have resulted in a much better outcome for all concerned.
 
And for those that might not want to visit the ks site to read the actual letter there, I've done my best to hand type out a copy from the photo. Any spelling errors would be on me.

August 2, 2012

Dear RodentPro Customer:

This statement is to inform you that during May, 2012, RodentPro learned that a portion of the mouse breeding colonies at one of its suppliers tested positive for Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus, known as LCMV. This particular facility had tested negative for LCMV as recently as February, 2012 during a routine screening. As a result of the positive LCMV findings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took immediate steps to quarantine the facility and required the supplier to take measures to ensure that the facility was returned to a virus free condition. The CDC determined that mice that may have been exposed to LCMV produced at that facility were shipped prior to diagnosis to fourteen of RodentPro's customers, all of whom have been contacted by the CDC. All rats produced at that facility tested negative for LCMV. No rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks or quail were produced at that facility. We are currently not purchasing any products from this supplier.

RodentPro would like to stress that the finding of LCMV at the before mentioned facility is an isolated incident that occurred at only one of the numerous locations utilized by RodentPro to produce its products. This incident did not involve any RodentPro products produced at any other facilities.

RodentPro's top priorities are the health and safety of our customers and employees and the welfare of our animals. We have worked closely with the CDC and other governmental agencies in resolving this issue with the above supplier.

We are closely examining every aspect of our production processes to determine enhancements we can make to our procedures in our efforts to further ensure our ability to provide safe feeder animals.

We apologize for any hardships that may have been caused by this incident. We value our relationship with you and are committed to do everything we can to provide you with safe and high quality products.

Sincerely,

Kevin Bryant
President - RodentPro.com

For more information pertaining to LCMV and safe handling procedures please go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/lcmv.htm
Click to expand...
 
Lucille said:
I'm wondering if they put the hush on. And if they did, why it wasn't done here.
Here is part of a description saying something about 'weaponized', anyone know what that means?


Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) 424-8802. For References, Please See: Key References Cited/Used*
in National Response Team (NRT) Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) for Biological Warfare Agents.
Agent Classification: Biological Type: Virus (Arenaviridae) CDC Class: A Bio-Safety Level: 4
Warning: This virus is highly infectious and causes severe human disease. Responders should only risk exposure if deemed absolutely necessary by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control practices deemed adequate by SMEs are rigorously observed.
Description: The lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an enveloped RNA virus that is transmitted by rodents. This virus is spread through contact with urine, saliva, blood, or feces of infected hosts (e.g., rodents). Airborne transmission and contact with contaminated surfaces is also possible. If weaponized, this virus may be highly aerosol- izable.
Click to expand...


I'm going to have my boyfriend read this when I get home, these are words I've heard him use before and he majored in cell bio so I think he'll understand this. The only part I understood was SME since that's used in most companies.

I didn't get to read through everything, but is this something that can be transferred from reptile to human, or just rodent to human?
 
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