Pets and Ebola

Here are a few facts about Ebola that provide a reasonable approach to the disease and its risk to pets and their owners.

Where did Ebola come from?

The Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along the Ebola River. Since then, intermittent outbreaks in humans have occurred in Africa. In 2014, there were a handful of cases in Europe and North America.

There are 5 known species in the Ebola family. Some are more pathogenic (disease-causing) than others and cause more severe disease.

How is Ebola transmitted?

• The virus is very contagious and is spread through direct contact with body fluids and blood.
• The virus is not spread through the air, water, or food; however, handling the meat of wild animals hunted for food is a potential source of infection in Africa. Since wildlife in North America is not known to carry the virus, hunters are not at risk here.
• Ebola virus does not survive long in the environment and is inactivated by disinfectants. As a precaution, surfaces contaminated with blood or body fluids should be cleaned thoroughly with agents known to kill the virus.
• People caring for Ebola-infected patients should use extreme caution and wear protective clothing specified by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

What species can be infected with Ebola?

In Africa, Ebola affects mammals such as humans, non-human primates (like monkeys and apes), and fruit bats. Bats are a natural reservoir for the virus in Africa and shed the virus in their feces.

In experimental studies, pigs infected with Ebola become mildly ill and may be capable of transmitting the disease to non-human primates; however, there are no recorded cases of humans contracting the disease from pigs. In North America, there have been no recorded cases of Ebola in pigs, bats, or non-human primates outside a laboratory setting. Since bats carry other diseases, including rabies, contact with live or dead bats is discouraged no matter where you live.

What about dogs and Ebola?

Dogs in Africa developed antibodies when exposed to Ebola virus in the field but did not become sick. Remember that the presence of antibodies does not mean an infection has occurred; it just means that the host was exposed to the virus and responded by developing antibodies to the viral antigen. For a dog or person to be infected, the virus must invade the body cells and replicate (reproduce). This process did not occur in African dogs exposed to the virus.

Ebola virus has never been directly isolated from a dog, and there is no evidence that dogs carry or shed the virus to other animals or humans. Concern that dogs can infect humans is unwarranted at this time. There have been no recorded cases of Ebola in domestic dogs in North America.

That said, dogs can potentially carry the virus on their coats and serve as a source of the virus much like a contaminated surface in a hospital could. While there is no confirmation that the virus can be transmitted on the fur or saliva of dogs, it is best to keep all pets away from people who have been exposed to the Ebola virus.

What about cats and other pets?

There are no recorded cases of Ebola in cats or other pets. As with dogs, there is the possibility that the virus can live on their coats for short periods, but again, there is no confirmation of this.

As a precaution, any pet owner that is in close contact with an Ebola patient and at risk of exposure to the person's blood or body fluids should consult a veterinarian. The veterinarian will, in turn, communicate with public health officials to determine how the dog should be handled.

Ebola is a scary disease, but a reasonable approach is best. Caution tempered with common sense and good hygiene are effective tools to prevent spread of the virus. Pet owners can enjoy the comfort of their pets without worrying about their risk of infection.