Spreading OE in the wild?

[psi_chemie]

While tagging last weak, I caught a female that was covered in yellow powder. I wasn't sure if this was pollen, or OE? She seemed like a strong butterfly, so I am not sure this could have been OE. If it was, could it have gotten in my net and then been spread to other butterflies I caught?

[Paul Cherubini]

I personally don't consider OE to be a big deal because I've found that adult monarchs with high OE spore loads can still live a normal or near normal lifespan. See photo evidence below:

[Mona Miller]

According to Dr. Altizer's research, adults with high OE spores are weakened by their disease. I don't call that a normal life. Monarch butterflies highly infected with OE can transfer the disease to wild population. Refer to Dr. Altizer's research for facts on OE:
http://www.monarchparasites.org/
Click on the headings to learn more about OE and preventing it.