I don't do business with this company and I am in no position to have an opinion on whether this may be true or not. But, this has at least been an eye opener to me about potential zoonotic diseases that may be coming from my snake's food, even if the chances of infection are rare. I never even thought about it. I have always kept my frozen rodents in a freezer bag inside a paper bag in my deep freeze along with other food. I may start to rethink my practices. Of course I wash my hands and use proper hygiene, and it's not like I'm going start getting paranoid over this virus, but it still helps to know about a potential risk.
As for this virus surviving freezing, according to a LCMV biosecurity sheet, it can survive being frozen with liquid nitrogen. I will post the quote along with the link to it's source.
Quote:
|
Special Hazards: Contaminated tissue cultures represent a potential hazard. Contaminated cell lines passaged in nude mice have resulted in at least 8 laboratory-acquired LCMV infections to personnel working with the mice. Tumors may acquire LCMV as an adventitious virus without obvious effects on the tumor. The virus may survive freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen for long periods. When infected tumor cells are transplanted, subsequent infection of the host and virus excretion may ensue.
|
source [PDF]:
http://www.occupationalhealthprogram...LCMV_Final.doc
Also, I am no scientist, but if contaminated tissue can pose an infection risk, than can't a dead infected animal also pose a potential risk, seeing as they are usually frozen right after being killed? Or, how does that work?
Threaded Mode