Can ebola spread from pets to humans?
It is not known whether dogs and cats can become infected with the ebola virus, or transmit it to humans.
A report on the risks of ebola being transmitted between pets and people in Europe has highlighted significant gaps in knowledge.
There is thought to be a very low risk of pet dogs or cats being exposed to the ebola virus through contact with infected people in Europe, as those affected are typically isolated promptly. This is according to experts from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The report exposes many gaps in the available knowledge and data, however. For instance, the risk of pets becoming infected with ebola after contact with symptomatic humans ranges from low to high depending on the type of symptoms and contact.
Additionally, there is high uncertainty about clinical signs of ebola in pets and indeed whether dogs and cats can become infected with the virus, or transmit it to humans.
The likelihood of human exposure to the virus through contact with pets is also said to be "difficult to estimate".
Experts recommend veterinary and public health authorities work together to assess the risk of human-to-pet and pet-to-human transmission on a case by case basis. In making these assessments, they should consider the type of contact and the stage of infection.
Further work on ebola is expected in the coming months. EFSA and ECDC will assist the European Commission in its assessment of the factors driving transmission of ebola from animals to humans in West Africa. EFSA is also expected to advise on the risks of consuming raw meat from affected African countries.
For the full report, visit: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/141204a.htm
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
