Madrid Will Kill Dog of Woman Infected with Ebola
"There is one article in the medical literature that discusses the presence of antibodies to Ebola in dogs. Whether that was an accurate test and whether that was relevant we do not know,” CDC Director Tom Frieden said at a news conference Tuesday.
"We have not identified this as a means of transmission," Frieden added, although scientists do know that Ebola can infect mammals and the virus can spread that way.
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The Spanish mixed-breed dog, Excalibur, will be euthanized in a way to avoid suffering and its body incinerated, the government said. The nursing aid's husband, who is also under quarantine, posted the dog's photo on Facebook and denounced the move.
"I think it's unfair that for a mistake they made they now want to solve it this way," he wrote. "If they are so worried with this issue I think we can find another type of alternative solution, such as quarantining the dog and put him under observation like they did with me. Or should they sacrifice me as well just in case?"
Dog of Ebola-stricken Spanish nurse set to be killed over fears of virus spreading
Both pet and hunting dogs in West Africa have tested positive for the Ebola virus, but none have showed signs of being infected, getting sick or dying from the virus, Michael San Filippo, senior media relations specialist for the American Veterinary Medical Association told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
There are also no documented cases of dogs passing the Ebola virus to people, San Filippo added.
“There is more concern about fruit bats and non-human primates,” including gorillas, chimpanzees and monkeys, he said.
Yes, Ebola is one scary disease. Really scary. But I don't think this is the right thing to do. I agree with the owner, quarantine the dog, but don't just kill it due to some sense of danger that isn't necessarily based on science.
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