CDC Confirms Dallas Nurse Tested Positive for Ebola; Her Dog Will Not Be Euthanized

[ANTI-IKON]

A dog belonging to a health care worker who tested positive for Ebola will not be euthanized, unlike a recent situation in Spain, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings told USA Today.

“This was a new twist,†Rawlings said. “The dog’s very important to the patient and we want it to be safe.â€

The patient’s dog remains inside her apartment, with local SPCA and animal control officials helping with the situation, authorities said.

The situation comes days after Spanish health officials euthanized a dog – Excalibur, a light brown mixed breed belonging to a Spanish nursing assistant who contracted Ebola. The decision to euthanize the dog drew protests, online campaigns and global concern, due to uncertainty over whether the dog was also infected or risked spreading the disease to humans.

On Twitter, the hashtag #SalvemosaExcalibur — "Let's Save Excalibur" — was tweeted nearly 400,000 times in 24 hours, making it the social networking site's second most popular meme worldwide. That outpaced new mentions of Bieber, and was second only to a hashtag drawing attention to a Syrian village on the border with Turkey under attack from the Islamic State militant group.

There is no documented case of Ebola spreading to people from dogs. But at least one major study suggests dogs can get the disease without showing symptoms. Experts say they are uncertain of what risk that poses to humans. Spanish authorities, though, were taking no chances.

Im glad. 

[SEHUN]

dogs can't get ebola i think?

[ANTI-IKON]

dogs can't get ebola i think?

Dogs can be infected with Ebola but there isn't any conclusive research which confirms that dogs transmit Ebola to humans.

 

Then again neither dogs were tested for Ebola.

 

Spain authorities essentially killed a dog without finding out whether or not it was infected. 

[sane]

I'm glad they're not killing it needlessly. They should quarantine the animal for now and periodically test it if they're not sure if it'll show symptoms or not.

 

Edit: oh, and I hope the nurse gets well 

[BABYf(x)]

Yikes Ebola getting dogs too? This is just scary stuff everyday! 

[Symphonyâ„¢]

I love animals but it should be gassed.

[......]

...  i've read (based on finding in 2001-2002 after Ebola outbreak in west Africa) , that dogs have a high survival rates for Ebola. They present as mostly asymptomatic... or mildly symptomatic...but don't typically die....or even require treatment to survive.  

 

we should probably look into why that is...

 

that said... i also read...based on the same findings... that they pass on viral particles through their urine and feces....and potentially even saliva....which could be infection to humans...but this is not conclusive.

[ANTI-IKON]

...  i've read (based on finding in 2001-2002 after Ebola outbreak in west Africa) , that dogs have a high survival rates for Ebola. They present as mostly asymptomatic... or mildly symptomatic...but don't typically die....or even require treatment to survive.  

 

we should probably look into why that is...

 

that said... i also read...based on the same findings... that they pass on viral particles through their urine and feces....and potentially even saliva....which could be infection to humans...but this is not conclusive.

Yeap. Scientists found dogs had Ebola antibodies. 

 

Considering the high level of contact between dogs and humans, should dogs be able to transmit Ebola, dogs can be a potential threat. However, there isn't any substantial research about that assumption and there won't be unless scientists study how Ebola behaves in dogs. Killing them destroys potential findings.