Scientific report of EFSA-ECDC: Risk related to household pets in contact with Ebola cases in humans
In response to a request from the European Commission to provide advice on risks related to pets having been in contact with people infected with Ebola virus, EFSA and ECDC have jointly prepared a rapid assessment.
Executive Summary
In April 2014, the European Commission requested ECDC to assess the risk of transmission of Ebola virus through contact with bush meat irregularly transported by passengers coming from areas affected by Ebola virus disease.
In October, a subsequent request from the European Commission asked EFSA to provide scientific and technical assistance on the risk of transmission of Ebola virus via the food chain (EFSA, 2014).
In correspondence addressed to EFSA in early November, the European Commission requested EFSA to assess the risk to humans posed by contact with pets in affected areas, taking into account the debate on the possible role of dogs in spreading the virus. The request was considered under the same mandate (M-2014-0279).
In its response, EFSA clarified that the assessment would be performed in collaboration with ECDC.
