On another forum there has been some links and information posted regarding preparation of scientific specimens in museums/universities and the possibility of contracting West Nile while doing so. The archives have a few postings on the subject but there are always updates occuring and the usual time delay in getting a bit of research officially published results is slow disemination of information. At any rate, for those interested in reading further on the topic I have posted below some very interesting links.
General report on West Nile in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5150.pdf
Article stating risk to bird preparation in Seattle times
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=westnile06&date=20021106&query=west+nile+virus+necropsy
Article from West Nile Virus Listserve
http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/ERAP/WNV/WNV-LArchive/10-15-02e.html
And an excellent article that details methods of transmission amoung birds - really cool reading for those into science which is dated March 2003
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol9no3/02-0628.htm
I doubt many taxidermists can follow all the suggested ideas posted in some of these sites. One direct quote "One or two latex gloves are worn beneath the stainless steel mesh glove and two more over it." - for a total of 5 layers. ... Now you grasp the hummingbird and begin skinning. (Of cource you would have goggles and a face shield, and apron, long sleeves, sterile outfit, and wash all objects with bleach immediately after skinning and dispose of all tissues and paper towels in an incinerator).
Taxidermists will become a high risk job like a fireman in a big city highrise fire, a policeman in the gang uprising in a ghetto, or an Iraqi special guard force defending their country from the infidels.
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Thank you so much. I own birds and have been terribly worried that they will get WNV from my shoes, or clothes, after I return from shopping or other mundane daily tasks. I am glad that pssiticines have the lowest susceptibility. It appears that my little feathered family will be safe. GREAT article, btw.