Ebola is a terrifying viral disease that has gripped the news headlines. Recently questions have been raised about whether pets such as dogs or cats can become infected and then transmit Ebola to humans. A paper published March 2005 in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases looked at the infection rate of dogs during an outbreak in Gabon in 2001-2002. They found that 8.9–31% of the dogs tested positive for the antibodies to Ebola, but did not find Ebola in the dogs. The higher rates related to areas with human cases of Ebola and fresh animal carcasses contaminated with the virus that the village dogs were eating. None of the dogs developed signs of illness. These dogs were exposed to Ebola, but did not become infected with or shed the virus.

What we don’t know the answer to is the role dogs play in the spread of the disease. We do not know if dogs can spread Ebola to humans through contamination of their fur.  Dr. J. Scott Weese, chief of infection control at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, and Canada Research Chair in zoonotic diseases says, “While it’s very unlikely they [dogs] are a realistic source of infection, prudence dictates that we consider it possible until we know that it isn’t”. Dr. Weese was speaking to the Veterinary Information Network about Ebola in a recent article. You can read theVIN articleabout Ebola in dogs and the recent North American case in Dallas that has resulted in the quarantine of one of the nurse’s dogs.

The lack of hard information about the risk of Ebola infection for dogs and cats will create anxiety for many people. It is important to remember that exposure levels to Ebola will be greatly different for African and North American dogs, and this will likely affect the role that dogs play in transmission here. Please refer to theCenter for Disease Controlfor more information on Ebola in dogs and cats in North America.

If you have any concerns about Ebola affecting your cat or dog, please contact yourlocal Calgary veterinariantoday.

Yours in health,

Dr. Kent Morley