The Philippine Health Secretary investigating the recent detection of the Ebola Reston virus in pigs in the Philippines revealed that a total of 5 people have tested positive for antibodies to the virus and all remain healthy. According to a report in the Philippine Star, 77 people suspected of having been exposed to the virus have been tested. There have been no reports of serious illness in any of the individuals testing positive. Officials continue to assure consumers and the public that the virus poses no threat to human health and recommend continued adherence to standard pork handling and cooking guidelines.
The UN expert team investigating the virus also announced that preliminary results of antigen testing on 1039 pig blood samples collected have all been negative. There have been no reports of unusual illness in pigs at the 2 farms being investigated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is continuing to test tissue samples.
Philippine officials continue to enforce quarantines on affected farms and the export ban on pork. Additional tissue samples have been collected and are being tested for a variety of porcine diseases including Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Salmonella and PRRS according to the report.
[Editor’s note: Research remains to be done to determine if this virus is pathogenic in pigs. To date, investigators have reported no evidence to indicate that the virus is related to any illness in infected pigs.]
Source:
ProMED-mail, January 31, 2009
The Philippine Star