The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), working in correlation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other health experts released guidelines for use when handling dogs or cats of people exposed to the Ebola virus disease (EVD).

The necessity of the guidelines was determined following situations that arose concerning the care of two dogs that belonged to people who had contracted the virus. The first dog, located in Spain, was euthanized. The second dog, located in Texas, was quarantined and monitored, but remained symptom-free and returned to its owner.

Cases of EVD in Dogs or Cats

The CDC released information that there is little chance for a dog or cat to become exposed to EVD in the United States. Furthermore:

• In the United States, there are no known reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with EVD or spreading the virus.
• Even in Africa where EVD is present, there are no known reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with EVD.
• There is no evidence of transmission of the virus from humans to dogs or cats.

Intention of Guidelines

• To provide protocol for health officials of procedures to handle and quarantined dogs or cats exposed to the virus.

Handling Dogs or Cats Exposed to EVD

According to the guidelines, a rapid risk assessment needs to be conducted in collaboration with human and animal health officials. The information is outlined extensively in the guideline entitled: “Interim Guidance for Public Health Officials on Pets of Ebola Virus Disease Contacts” and can be found online at: www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/dog-cat-quarantine.pdf. Animals other than a dog or cat are not covered under these guidelines.

Procedures Outlined Within the Guidelines

Information to Collect for Risk Assessment:

• Identification and Medical History
• Assessment of Risk Exposure and Infection
• Assessment of Pet’s Activities

Guidelines for the Quarantine of a Pet

• Transportation of Pet to Quarantine Facility
• Criteria for Quarantine Facility or Enclosure
• Criteria for Caretakers
• Health Monitoring of Caretakers
• Health Monitoring of Dog or Cat
• Waste Disposal
• Animal Testing for Ebola Virus
• Minimum Criteria to Release Pet from Quarantine

The guideline provides connection to online sites for resources that are dedicated to answering questions about the Ebola virus. These sites can be found on the final page of the document at: www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/dog-cat-quarantine.pdf .

Contact Information

Information provided for state health officials to use to contact the CDC Ebola Animal-Human Interface Team is provided within the document and given as:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100.

Need more information on guidelines for infected pets that visit your practice? Call your Covetrus Representative today at 855.724.3461.

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