As an outbreak of Ebola virus catches the world’s attention, U.S. and international veterinary organizations and public health officials are attempting to calm worried pet owners.
Recent outbreaks of Ebola and debates over pets exposed have cause international concern. Veterinary organizations and public health officials are making efforts to placate concerned pet owners with reminders that cats, dogs and other domesticated animals have not been shown to transmit the disease.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) also questioned the decision by health authorities in Spain to euthanize a dog whose owner, a nurse, contracted Ebola. Read more on this story>>
Ryan called for the quarantine of animals exposed to Ebola. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is in isolation in Texas after his owner, a Dallas nurse, was infected with Ebola and hospitalized.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that in West Africa, where more than 4,000 people have died from Ebola, "there have been no reports of dogs and cats becoming sick with Ebola or of being able to spread Ebola to people or other animals.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association is working with federal agencies to spread the word about Ebola and pets.
Links have been established between Ebola and some African wildlife.
Health Organization states.
"We do not yet know whether or not a pet’s body, paws or fur can pick up and spread Ebola to people or other animals,” the agency reports. "It is important to keep people and animals away from blood or body fluids of a person with symptoms of Ebola infection.”
