RP asks UN for help to prevent outbreak of Ebola-Reston virus

The Philippines has asked the United Nations for assistance to prevent the outbreak of the deadly Ebola-Reston virus among pigs, which has attacked hog farms in the country, and the agencies have sent an expert mission to Manila to conduct an investigation, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced yesterday.

The Philippine government asked UN agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the FAO as well as the World Organization of Human Health to send experts to the Philippines.

“Since being informed of this event in late November, FAO and WHO have been making every effort to gain a better understanding of the situation and are working closely with the Philippine government and local animal and human health experts,” said FAO.

FAO said the experts are conducting field and laboratory tests to find the source of the virus, its transmission, natural habitat and virulence in order to appropriately manage animal and human health protection.

Laboratory reports in late October confirmed that pigs in hog farms in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan were infected with the Ebola-Reston virus, as well as a highly virulent strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The tests began in early 2007 when pigs on those farms began dying at a faster rate than usual.

PRSS cannot be transmitted to humans. The Reston strain of the Ebola virus can infect humans, but no deaths or serious illnesses have been reported to date.

“Still, officials are taking precautions. Animal handlers and slaughterhouse workers who were possibly exposed to the infected pigs have tested negative for the Ebola-Reston virus and additional tests are underway,” FAO added.

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry notified the World Organization of Human Health that all infected animals were destroyed, and their remains were buried or burned. Healthy pigs in Bulacan are being vaccinated against PRRS while infected premises have been disinfected and placed under strict quarantine and movement control.

Outbreaks of the Ebola-Reston virus in the Philippines first occurred in monkeys during 1989 and 1990, followed by outbreaks in 1992 and 1996.

FAO and WHO have advised people to follow good hygiene practices and food-handling measures until experts better understand the disease and how it was transmitted to pigs.