[Trust but Verify]

but it sure sounds likely to me from this story that the 3-year-old's parents caught the disease from her.

The parents probably handled the varmint, too. That's most likely how they got sick.

[Judith Anne]

If I recall correctly, the 3 yo got a small bite from the animal. Then after she got sick, the mother got sick and was in fact in the hospital with her.

Again, if I recall correctly, this can be transmitted the same as smallpox--and that includes airborne.

Anyone, please correct me if I'm mistaken...