Veterinary professionals urged to take great care when dealing with animals that have been in contact with someone infected with Ebola.

Following the recent case of a dog in Spain, which was euthanised after contact with the nurse who had contracted Ebola virus, there may be concerns about the potential role of dogs in the spread of Ebola. BVA and BSAVA are therefore offering information and advice to those in the veterinary profession.

There is very little published information on Ebola in domestic animals but the BVA and BSAVA have looked at one study in particular, undertaken by the Center for Disease Control, which demonstrated that dogs exposed to Ebola virus did show sero-conversion but without clinical signs.

They have said: ‘While there is no evidence that domestic animals have been implicated in the spread of the disease it would be a sensible precaution to take great care when handling dogs, or other animals, known to have been in contact with an infected person.’