Understanding Ebola in Pets

21 days ago

Ebola became a major disturbance to the healthcare system in Africa in 2014, but that was not the first time the Ebola virus was found.

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The Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, along the Ebola River.

The Ebola virus family is made up of five known species, with some more pathogenic than others.

Zaire ebolavirus is the ebolavirus we all know.

Sudan virus is Sudan ebolavirus.

Tai forest virus.

Bundibugyo ebolavirus.

Reston virus is the fifth viral strain, it has not caused disease in humans, but has caused disease in nonhuman primates.

Ebola is contagious after symptoms begin to show, incubation phase is often between 2-21 days with 8-10 days being more common. Ebola is transmitted through unprotected contact with the body fluids of an infected person.

Blood and body fluids like urine, vomit, feces, sweat, semen, and saliva. Transmission is also possible when an object has been in contact with the blood or body fluid of an infected person, a good example of such an object is a needle.

Handling the meat of hunted wild animals is also a possible way for infection to spread.
The Ebola virus does not have the strength to survive for long in an environment, and it can be easily be weakened by the use of a disinfectant.

Extreme protective measures have to be taken for those who are taking care of ebola patients, so they don't get infected themselves.

There are currently experimental vaccines and treatments for ebola, but none of them have been trusted for safety operations. There is no vaccine available for the Ebola virus.

Weakness of the body, diarrhea, body pain, vomiting, abdominal pain, unexplained bleeding, fever and serious headache are signs of ebola to watch out for in humans.

Bats are believed to be natural reservoirs of the virus in Africa, and they shed the virus through their feces. Ebolavirus affects both mammals and nonhuman primates in Africa.

Through research, it was found that pigs that have been infected with the Ebola virus become mildly ill and could transmit the disease to nonhuman primates.

There have not however been a case of pigs spreading the virus to humans before. Bats on the other hand have always been known to be carriers of other diseases including rabies, so humans are encouraged to stay away for bats either dead or alive.

Some people were scared of getting ebola from their pets at home, so let's check that out too.

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What about, dogs and Ebola?

When checked, dogs were found to have developed antibodies when exposed to ebolavirus. For a dog or human to become infected, it means, the virus must have invaded the body cells and then reproduced.

This process did not happen to African dogs when they were exposed to the virus. There has been no sure proof that dogs carry the ebola virus strain or they can transmit tit o humans.

With basic hygiene in place, limitations to exposure of pets, and timely routine check-ups, pet owners do not have to worry about the scary effects of the Ebola virus.