Follow Us on Facebook   Follow Us on Twitter   Follow Us on LinkedIn   Follow Us on Pinterest   Follow Us on YouTube   Follow Us on Google+
Dr. Justine Lee
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
    • It’s a Dog’s Life
    • It’s a Cat’s World
  • BLOG
  • MEDIA
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • EVENTS
  • CONTACT
Home » Blog » Can my dog get Ebola? | Dr. Justine Lee
Oct15 2
Can my dog get Ebola? | Dr. Justine Lee

Can my dog get Ebola? | Dr. Justine Lee

Posted by justinelee in Blog

With the outbreak of  Ebola in West Africa, it’s been scaring people about the transmission of this deadly virus to pets. Here, some great information from Pet Health Network by Dr. Ernie Ward, Dr. Jeff Werber, and yours truly (#RIPExcalibur) on what you need to know about. Also, fantastic information below from the CDC on how animals are involved with Ebola outbreaks and what the risk is to your pets!

According to the CDC, the US Department of Agriculture, and the American Veterinary Medical Association, pets are not thought to be at significant risk for Ebola in the United States.

How are animals involved in Ebola outbreaks?

Because the natural reservoir host of Ebola has not yet been confirmed, the way in which the virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak is unknown. However, scientists believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal, such as a fruit bat or primate (apes and monkeys), which is called a spillover event. Person-to-person transmission follows and can lead to large numbers of affected persons. In some past Ebola outbreaks, primates were also affected by Ebola, and multiple spillover events occurred when people touched or ate infected primates. In the current West African epidemic, animals have not been found to be a factor in ongoing Ebola transmission.

How does Ebola spread?

When infection occurs in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth) with

  • blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola
  • objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus
  • Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats.
  • Only a few species of mammals (for example, humans, monkeys, and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus. There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus.

Can dogs get infected or sick with Ebola?

At this time, there have been no reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with Ebola or of being able to spread Ebola to people or other 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.

Here in the United States, are our dogs and cats at risk of becoming sick with Ebola?

The risk of an Ebola outbreak affecting multiple people in the United States is very low. Therefore, the risk to pets is also very low, as they would have to come into contact with blood and body fluids of a person with Ebola. Even in areas in Africa where Ebola is present, there have been no reports of dogs and cats becoming sick with Ebola.

Can I get Ebola from my dog or cat?

At this time, there have been no reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with Ebola or of being able to spread Ebola to people or animals. The chances of a dog or cat being exposed to Ebola virus in the United States is very low as they would have to come into contact with blood and body fluids of a symptomatic person sick with Ebola.

Can my pet’s body, fur, or paws spread Ebola to a person?

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. It is important to keep people and animals away from blood or body fluids of a person with symptoms of Ebola infection.

What if there is a pet in the home of an Ebola patient?

CDC recommends that public health officials in collaboration with a veterinarian evaluate the pet’s risk of exposure to the virus (close contact or exposure to blood or body fluids of an Ebola patient). Based on this evaluation as well as the specific situation, local and state human and animal health officials will determine how the pet should be handled.

Can I get my dog or cat tested for Ebola?

There would not be any reason to test a dog or cat for Ebola if there was no exposure to a person infected with Ebola. Currently, routine testing for Ebola is not available for pets.

What are the requirements for bringing pets or other animals into the United States from West Africa?

CDC regulations require that dogs and cats imported into the United States be healthy. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies before arrival into the United States. Monkeys and African rodents are not allowed to be imported as pets under any circumstances.

Each state and U.S. Territory has its own rules for pet ownership and importation, and these rules may be different from federal regulations. Airlines may have additional requirements.

Can monkeys spread Ebola?

Yes, monkeys are at risk for Ebola. Symptoms of Ebola infection in monkeys include fever, decreased appetite, and sudden death. Monkeys should not be allowed to have contact with anyone who may have Ebola. Healthy monkeys already living in the United States and without exposure to a person infected with Ebola are not at risk for spreading Ebola.

Can bats spread Ebola?

Fruit bats in Africa are considered to be a natural reservoir for Ebola. Bats in North America are not known to carry Ebola and so CDC considers the risk of an Ebola outbreak from bats occurring in the United States to be very low. However, bats are known to carry rabies and other diseases here in the United States. To reduce the risk of disease transmission, never attempt to touch a bat, living or dead.

Where can I find more information about Ebola and pet dogs and cats?

CDC is currently working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and many other partners to develop additional guidance for the U.S. pet population. Additional information and guidance will be posted on this website as well as partner websites as soon as it becomes available.

2 Comments

  1. Pam May | October 16, 2014 at 1:52 am

    Thanks Justine! I have been on top of this too. So much misinformation in the general public here and around the world.

    Reply
    • justinelee | October 16, 2014 at 1:57 am

      Thanks Pam. Hate to think that people are euthanizing pets just due to the scare…

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Everyone should be on the lookout for avian influenza
  • Focus on Health-Focused Breeding of Dogs
  • Diabetes PetCare Alliance
  • Should you get an automatic pet feeder for your dog or cat?
  • Is there a blood test for cancer in dogs and cats?

Recent Comments

  • Liz on Pet Hoarders: How many cats are too many? | Dr. Justine Lee
  • Kelley on Pet Hoarders: How many cats are too many? | Dr. Justine Lee
  • Cora on Focus on Health-Focused Breeding of Dogs
  • justinelee on How to euthanize a dog with Tylenol… and why you don’t….
  • Susan bergunde on How to euthanize a dog with Tylenol… and why you don’t….

Archives

  • February 2022
  • August 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014

Categories

  • Animal Safety
  • Blog
  • Fun Stuff
  • Interviews
  • Pet Health
  • Pet Help
  • Pet Product Reviews
  • Pet World
  • Recalls
  • Uncategorized
  • Veterinary

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

NEWS & BLOG

  • Everyone should be on the lookout for avian influenza February 27, 2022
  • Focus on Health-Focused Breeding of Dogs February 27, 2022
  • Diabetes PetCare Alliance August 8, 2021
  • Should you get an automatic pet feeder for your dog or cat? December 27, 2020
  • Is there a blood test for cancer in dogs and cats? December 23, 2020

MENU

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
    • It’s a Dog’s Life
    • It’s a Cat’s World
  • BLOG
  • MEDIA
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • EVENTS
  • CONTACT

Check out my Dr. Justine Lee YouTube channel for more information!

https://drjustinelee.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Feline-Acne.mp4

© 2014 - 2025 Dr. Justine Lee. All Rights Reserved.