The Ebola outbreak that is happening around the world has many people taking precautions. One of the biggest questions being asked is whether pets can get Ebola.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper explored this topic with experts after two instances of dogs being quarantined (one was put to death) after their owners had caught the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been no reports of dogs or cats becoming ill with Ebola or spreading the disease to people or animals. “Even in areas in Africa where Ebola is present, there have been no reports of dogs and cats becoming sick with Ebola. There is limited evidence that dogs become infected with Ebola virus, but there is no evidence that they develop disease,” the website states.
Although there is no indication that animals are infected, Cooper points out that when animals are involved, their owners might not act as swiftly to get help if they are experiencing signs of illness. “We’ve seen this in disasters before, people not wanting to leave their homes because they couldn’t bring their animals to a shelter,” Cooper said.”The fear among health care workers and CDC officials and others is that if people are afraid that their dogs are going to be killed, they might not come forward if they’re starting to show some symptoms.”
Plus, there are animals who can carry the virus without showing any symptoms, such as fruit bats. However, when it comes to your domesticated animals, it seems like the fear is unwarranted. “It is not a danger. We’re not concerned,” Dr. William Schaffner told CNN’s Candy Crowley.”We know that this virus can circulate in animals, but pets have not been a feature of Ebola spread, whether in Africa and certainly not here in the developed world.”
As for the dog that was euthanized, Schaffner said it was ill-advised, and the other pup, he is being monitored in Dallas. Head over to CNN for more information.
