Questions and Answers about Ebola, Pets, and Other Animals

The ongoing epidemic of Ebola in West Africa has raised several questions about how the disease affects the animal population, and in particular, the risk to household pets.While the available information suggests the virus may be found in several kinds of animals, CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the American Veterinary Medical Association do not believe that pets are 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 the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal, such as a fruit bat or primate (apes and monkeys). This is called a spillover event. Person-to-person transmission follows and can lead to large numbers of affected persons. In some previous Ebola outbreaks, primates also were 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  or has died from Ebola,
• objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with body fluids from a person who is sick with Ebola or the body of a person who has died from Ebola,
• infected animals, such as fruit bats and primates (apes and monkeys), and
• possibly from contact with semen from a man who has recovered from Ebola (for example, by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex).

Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. Mosquitos or other insects cannot transmit Ebola virus. 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 mosquitoes or other insects can transmit Ebola virus.

What types of pets are most likely to get infected or sick with Ebola?

Certain exotic or unusual pets (such as monkeys, apes, or pigs) have a higher risk of being infected with and shedding Ebola virus if they are exposed to the 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 they develop disease.

Are dogs and cats in the United States 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 also is 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 a person get Ebola from their 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 a pet’s body, fur, or paws spread Ebola to a person?

We do not yet know if 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.

Can pigs become sick with Ebola?

Pigs are the only species of livestock that are currently known to be susceptible to any Ebola virus. Pigs are not known to be naturally infected with the Ebola species in the ongoing outbreak in West Africa. However, in laboratory experiments, when given extremely high doses of Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus - the species in the current West African outbreak), some pigs have become sick. Transmission from Ebola virus-infected pigs to monkeys was also demonstrated in the laboratory setting. The chances are very low of a pig being exposed to Ebola virus in the United States, as a pig would likely have to come into contact with blood and body fluids of a symptomatic person sick with Ebola. Modern swine production practices include strict farm biosecurity and monitoring of workers, making this scenario extremely unlikely.

Pigs have been found to be naturally infected with Reston virus in the Philippines and China. Reston virus is a species of Ebola that does not cause human illness. The pigs in the Philippines and China were infected with Reston virus and other viruses including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), so it was not clear if Reston virus was responsible for any clinical signs in these pigs. No clinical signs were observed in pigs experimentally infected with Reston virus.

Can pigs spread Ebola?

Pigs are not known to become naturally infected with the Ebola species in the ongoing outbreak in West Africa (Zaire ebolavirus or Ebola virus), and therefore there is no indication that they are involved in virus transmission. However, there is indication that Reston virus can be passed from pigs to humans, though neither pigs nor people are affected by the disease. Pigs, including pet pigs, such as potbellied pigs, should not be allowed to have contact with anyone who is sick with Ebola or under direct active monitoring for Ebola. Healthy pigs already living in the United States and with no exposure to a person infected with Ebola are not at risk for being infected or spreading Ebola.

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 in the United States. To reduce the risk of disease transmission, never attempt to touch a bat, living or dead.

Can non-mammals (birds, reptiles, amphibians, or fish) become sick with Ebola?

There is currently no evidence that Ebola virus can infect non-mammals kept as pets including birds, reptiles, amphibians, or fish. No Ebola virus has been detected in non-mammal species collected in previous outbreaks of Ebola in Africa.

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.

USDA has import regulations that are intended to protect the livestock population of the United States. These regulations address certain livestock diseases that do not occur in the United States, such as foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever, among others. USDA regulations prohibit the entry of live ruminants (including cattle, sheep and goats) and pigs from most countries in Africa because of the presence of these diseases. Additional information on USDA and Animal and Animal Product Import is available.

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.

Information for Persons with Potential Ebola Virus Exposure Who Have Contact with Animals

If someone is under active monitoring for Ebola, should they avoid animals?

People under active monitoring do not need to limit their exposure to companion animals unless they become sick. This is because these individuals were determined to have a low, but not zero risk, based on their exposure to a person with a confirmed Ebola infection. The risk to animals would also be very low, as animals would have to come into contact with blood and body fluids of a person with Ebola to become infected.

If someone is under direct active monitoring for Ebola, should they avoid animals?

While the risk of transmission to animals is low based on experience in past and current outbreaks, transmission potential to animals cannot be completely excluded. To avoid the need for quarantine, or possibly euthanasia of animals, people under direct active monitoring should avoid contact with dogs, cats, livestock (e.g. pigs, cattle, sheep, and goats), and other mammals, out of an abundance of caution, to prevent possible transmission of Ebola to animals should they become symptomatic.

It is recommended that pet(s) owned by an asymptomatic person under direct active monitoring be removed from the home if possible. Public health officials should work with the pet owner to determine if someone, preferably a person who does not reside in the monitored person’s residence, can care for the pet until the direct active monitoring period ends.

Is it safe for me to care for the pet of someone who is under direct active monitoring?

Yes, it is safe for you to care for the pet of someone who is under direct active monitoring. Because the person under direct active monitoring is not symptomatic and therefore not shedding Ebola virus, the pet poses no risk to other caretakers or contacts. Ideally the animal should be moved to another residence for care. No restrictions would be required on the pet’s activities while under another individual’s care outside of the animal’s normal household.

What do I need to know if I have pets and am under active or direct active monitoring for Ebola?

If you become sick with fever or any symptoms including severe headache, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or bruising or bleeding not known to be linked to an existing medical diagnosis, take the following actions:

• Stop all direct contact with other people and avoid all interactions with pet(s) including petting, holding, kissing, snuggling, sharing food, or letting pet lick you.
• Immediately contact your local health department or medical treatment facility at first indication of illness (such as a higher body temperature). Report where your pet(s) will be safely located in the home.
  • Be prepared to provide details to a public health official that includes types of contact your pet may have had with you while you had symptoms. A public health veterinarian, in collaboration with public health officials, will determine if your pet is at risk for exposure to Ebola and how to properly care for the pet.
  • Pets must not leave the premises for any reason until an exposure assessment is made by your health officials.
• Keep people and animals away from your blood or body fluids.
• The pet should be placed in a crate, bathroom, or spare bedroom with food and water to keep the pet safe.
  • If possible, another person in your household should handle the pet while ensuring it is safely separated from you.
  • If you live alone, you should avoid all direct contact with the pet while making sure the pet is safely separated from you.

What happens if a pet is placed in quarantine because of exposure to a person with Ebola?

If public health officials determine that a pet has been exposed to a person with Ebola and needs to be placed in quarantine, the pet will be removed from the home and cared for in a quarantine facility for a minimum of 21 days. Depending on the situation, testing for Ebola virus may be performed. Once a veterinarian determines that the pet is not at risk for becoming sick with Ebola, the pet will be released from quarantine and returned to the owner. Once the pet is released from quarantine, the pet poses no risk to people or other animals. No restrictions would be required on the pet’s activities after it is released from quarantine.