We know that many of you are following the news about Ebola. Living in Texas, we see it not only on the national news but the local news as well, as the only cases in the US have been found in Dallas.
Today we received this list of excellent information from BluePearl Veterinary Partners about Ebola and dogs. Two of the recent health care workers have had dogs; Spain recently euthanized a dog for being exposed to Ebola, and the dog of a Texas nurse who became infected with Ebola is currently in quarantine.
“When it comes to Ebola and how this infectious disease interacts with our pets, there really isn’t a ton of information available,” said Dr. Jennifer Welser, chief medical officer of BluePearl Veterinary Partners. “However, we’ve done our best to put together a list of the important things we do currently know.”
Scientists and veterinarians with the American Veterinary Medical Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the CDC and many other partners are continuing to work together to develop additional guidance for the U.S. pet population.
“Besides being doctors to animals, veterinarians play a key role in public health and disease prevention,” Welser said. “Veterinarians throughout the U.S. and around the world work together with human health officials to keep the public safe.”
Today we received another press release with more information from former AVMA President Dr. Douglas G. Aspros, DVM:
Ebola Transmission only comes from Direct Contact with an Infected Individual
Dr. Aspros wants to make sure people understand the basics: the disease is spread through physical contact with an infected person. That means you must have close physical contact with someone showing signs of infection. Unless your pet was in close personal contact with an individual who was recently working in West Africa, they are not in any danger of potentially contracting the virus.
Dogs have not developed the disease, even in West Africa
Dr. Aspros points to the research and says, “There is evidence that dogs in Africa exposed to animals who died from Ebola infections generated antibodies to the virus…There have been no human cases of Ebola associated with dogs…all dogs that were tested remained asymptomatic, there was no evidence of transmission. “
Any Ebola patient’s pet in the US will be quarantined; NOT euthanized
Dr. Aspros says, “The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has called for quarantine and not euthanasia for dogs exposed to human cases, and that further studies be done…It is inhumane to automatically euthanize dogs that have been in contact with an infected human patient.”
For more information about keeping your pet safe and healthy visit the AVMA question and answer page HERE.