Pigs and Ebola: The Secret Reservoir?

Are pigs a potential source of an Ebola pandemic in Africa and elsewhere? There are at least 288,000 pigs in Liberia where Ebola has broken out in people. Could Ebola-infected pigs spread Ebola throughout the country? The World Health Organization on Ebola: "Pig farms in Africa can play a role in the amplification of infection because of the presence of fruit bats on these farms." New York Times article mentions pigs eating garbage in Conakry, the capital of Guinea (where Ebola is spreading now)

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

WHO Reports On Ebolavirus, Emergency Response And Disease Transmission

WHO finally mentions pigs as possible source of Ebola.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113114635/understanding-ebolavirus-new-cases-who-reports-040714/

It is assumed that fruit bats are the most common natural host of ebolavirus in Africa. It is further assumed that most wildlife that suffer from ebolavirus is the result of contact with saliva or feces from infected fruit bats. Humans get the disease by contact with these infected animals, such as pigs or monkeys, or by direct contact with infected bats
Read more at http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113114635/understanding-ebolavirus-new-cases-who-reports-040714/#IVGgSkH37vOxP0dU.99

It is assumed that fruit bats are the most common natural host of ebolavirus in Africa. It is further assumed that most wildlife that suffer from ebolavirus is the result of contact with saliva or feces from infected fruit bats. Humans get the disease by contact with these infected animals, such as pigs or monkeys, or by direct contact with infected bats
Read more at http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113114635/understanding-ebolavirus-new-cases-who-reports-040714/#IVGgSkH37vOxP0dU.99