Include

[peterescue]

People who had contact with my pythons have had to deal with the very real threat of viral infection to their own animals. The symptoms are those of opportunistic infections and diseases. The main symptom of three known virii is inclusion bodies present in brain cells and the breakdown of tissue in the cortex. This can only be signifcantly seen post mortem. The infection is through body fluids/secretions. This includes of course those produced when shedding. In ideal conditions the virus could stay viable for quite some time. It is thought to be transferred through the atmosphere and physically as in you handle one snake then handle another so you pass it on. It seems to be able to survive on the skin for several hours. This final point is anecdotal only but pertains to personal experience.