International experts probe Ebola Reston virus in swine
LINGAYEN–Experts from international agencies were in town to look into the Ebola Reston Virus (ERV) found in one piggery farm in Manaoag, the first of its kind discovered worldwide.
Experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) arrived on January 7 for a two-day investigation with Philippine government representatives.
The experts were composed of Mario Musa, communications adviser of Crisis Management Centre-Animal Health, Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division of UN FAO, Boris Pavlin, an epidemiologist of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response of WHO, William White, senior staff veterinarian of Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory from United States Department of Agriculture, and Kate Glynn from OIE.
In a joint press statement from FAO/OIE and WHO, the team said its mission is important as this is the first time that the virus has been found outside monkeys, and the first time ever worldwide that it has been found in swine, a food-producing animal, which would have potential implications for animal and human health and welfare.
During the 10-day joint mission, which included an inspection of piggeries in Bulacan also found to be infected, the team intends to identify the source of the virus, its transmission, its virulence and its natural habitat, in order to provide appropriate guidance for animal and human health
Dr. Reildrin Morales, national coordinator of the National Foot and Mouth Disease Task Force of the Bureau of Animal Industry, said the piggery farm in Manaoag town found infected with Ebola Reston virus remains under quarantine and samples will be collected again to further determine an initial test made that yielded negative result.
“Until everything is cleared, the farm remains under quarantine and we can assure the public that there is no animal from the quarantined farms that goes out to the food chain,” Morales said.
Dr. Lyndon Leesuy from the Department of Health said an initial test on workers exposed to the hogs found with ERV showed negative result. A second round of test will be conducted.
OIE’s Dr. Glynn said the team tried to determine if the virus was still in the farm and would make some risk assessment as to the likely causes.
“Some questions we hopefully try to answer at the end of this mission,” she said.
WHO’s Dr. Boris Pavlin confirm that the virus did not pose any threat to humans, adding that even if they found somebody positive, it’s very unlikely that he could spread the virus elsewhere.
Manaoag Mayor Napoleon Sales said reports of the infection has affected their town’s economy despite the quarantine and other safety measures being undertaken.#
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