Quote Originally Posted by JenHarrison View Post

#4 -- As details came out about the virus, transmittal methods (airborne via fluid particles, not remotely environmental), incubation periods for antibody development, and infectious periods, I was given the all clear to begin rebuilding with new snakes selectively after it had been over 60 days since the last death/active symptom. The virus is only contagious when there is an actively symptomatic snake present -- and since they all died (save for 2 that we treated with double antibiotics and the imported vaccine, and subsequently are healed), the infectious period was considered over by my vet team. I was also given the all clear to sell my babies by all 3 reptile-specific vets involved (the two working on my case and the third that was Wyatt's other victim), as they would not have been able to inherit the virus genetically, and were not alive during the time that any sick snakes were present. They have all subsequently been vaccinated upon hatching as well as all remaining adults in my collection that were in the quarantined group that never got sick in the first place. We followed the exact protocol that other OPMV cases in Europe followed, and those collections have been virus-free ever since. I wouldn't be selling this clutch of babies if I felt there were any risk to anyone else. When I am told by the one person that knows and understands this virus better than anyone on the planet (Dr. Jacobsen) that the babies are just fine, I tend to believe him.

The remaining adults that I have that were segregated in my room and avoided becoming ill may or may not be carriers -- there is no way to tell. All were vaccinated, and based on previous history with this virus, this should have stopped the infectious spread.

If they do carry it, none are infectious or contagious unless they flare up at some point and become sick. It is dormant until then -- not transmittable.
This is what scares me.

In your posting, you've said in no uncertain terms that the animals your selling have been vaccinated, but were never infected.

That's fine and all, but you also said that any subsequent births or purchases will remain virus free, unless one of the original infected animals infection is no longer dormant.

That doesn't seem like a leak proof guarantee to me, and frankly it scares me.

You've said that the virus cannot be transmitted in the body from mother to egg.

BUT, you have no guarantee that the virus is not being carried by any other animals in a dormant state, meaning, this virus could become active and shed just in time for another non vaccinated animal to become infected. God forbid this happens, but you simply cannot guarantee that at this time.

If this were a closed colony, with the upmost strictest quarantine and no cross contamination, I might be able to view this in a better light.

But the fact that there are simply no guarantees at this point in time is pretty scary.

If I had any of that wrong, please explain, I'm just reading what you posted. It does make me nervous, along with many others that those original animals that were around during the outbreak are still being housed near your new collection (meaning, in the same facility).