Jan,

Panleukopenia, medical term for Feline Distemper, is more fatal to kittens than older cats because of the kitten's immune system hasn't been fully developed yet. It can stay airborne for up to one year. Older cats can and are immunized against it.

I know only too well how devastating Distemper can be. Saginaw is somewhere North of where I am (I think). Not sure how far, but I sure hope it doesn't come this way.