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http://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/detail/article/first-detection-of-ebola-reston-virus-in-pigs-faooiewho-offer-assistance-to-the-philippines/ First detection of Ebola-Reston virus in pigs - FAO/OIE/WHO offer assistance to the Philippines
MANILA 23 December 2008 – Following
the detection of the Ebola-Reston virus in pigs in the Philippines, the
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced
today that the government of the Philippines has requested the three
agencies send an expert mission to work with human and animal health
experts in the Philippines to further investigate the situation.
An increase in pig mortality on swine farms in the
provinces of Nueva Ecija and Bulacan in 2007 and 2008 prompted the
Government of the Philippines to initiate laboratory investigations.
Samples taken from ill pigs in May, June and September 2008 were sent to
international reference laboratories which confirmed in late October
that the pigs were infected with a highly virulent strain of Porcine
reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) as well as the Ebola-Reston
virus.
Although co-infection in pigs is not unusual, this
is the first time globally that an Ebola-Reston virus has been isolated
in swine. It is not, however, the first time that the Ebola-Reston virus
has been found in the Philippines : it was found in monkeys from the
Philippines in outbreak s that occurred in 1989-1990, 1992, and 1996.
and is comprised of five distinct species:
- Zaïre
- Sudan
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Bundibugyo
- Reston .
Zaïre , Sudan and Bundibugyo species have been associated with large Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) outbreak s in Africa with high case fatality ratio (25–90%)
while Côte d'Ivoire and Reston have not.
Reston species can infect humans but no serious illness or death in humans have been reported to date.
Since being informed of this event in late November,
FAO, OIE and WHO have been making every effort to gain a better
understanding of the situation and are working closely with the
Philippines Government and local animal and human health experts.
The Department of Health of the Philippines has
reported that initial laboratory tests on animal handlers and
slaughterhouse workers who were thought to have come into contact with
infected pigs were negative for Ebola Reston infection, and that
additional testing is ongoing. The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of
the Philippines Department of Agriculture has notified the OIE that all
infected animals were destroyed and buried or burned, the infected
premises and establishments have been disinfected and the affected areas
are under strict quarantine and movement control. Vaccination of swine
against PRRS is ongoing in the Province of Bucalan. PRRS is not
transmissible to humans.
The planned joint FAO/OIE/WHO team will work with
country counterparts to address, through field and laboratory
investigation, important questions as to the source of the virus, its
transmission, its virulence and its natural habitat, in order to provide
appropriate guidance for animal and human health protection.
Until these questions can be answered, the FAO and
WHO stressed the importance of carrying out basic good hygiene practices
and food handling measures.
Ebola viruses are normally transmitted via contact
with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected animal or person.
In all situations, even in the absence of identified risks, meat
handling and preparation should be done in a clean environment (table
top, utensils, knives) and meat handlers should follow good personal
hygiene practices (e.g. clean hands, clean protective clothing). In
general, hands should be r egularly washed while handling raw meat.
Pork from healthy pigs is safe to eat as long as
either the fresh meat is cooked properly (i.e. 70°C in all part of the
food, so that there is no pink meat and the juices run clear), or, in
the case of uncooked processed pork, national safety standards have been
met during production, processing and distribution.
Meat from sick pigs or pigs found dead should not be
eaten and should not enter the food chain or be given to other animals.
Ill animals should be reported to the competent authorities and proper
hygiene precautions and protection should be taken when destroying and
disposing of sick or dead pigs. The Philippines Department of
Agriculture has advised the Philippine public to buy its meat only from
National Meat Inspection Services certified sources.
As a general rule, proper hygiene and precautionary
measures ( wearing gloves, goggles and protective clothing) should also
be exercised when slaughtering or butchering pigs. This applies both to
industrial and home-slaughtering of pigs. Children and those not
involved in the process of slaughtering should be kept away.
December 2008
