Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) October 15, 2014 -- In recent weeks, dog owners, supporters and donors have looked to the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the American Kennel Club for credible information regarding Ebola virus in dogs.
At issue is whether humans can get Ebola from dogs, and whether dogs can even get Ebola in a form that is transmittable. Due to the complexities of the virus, only time and research will answer these questions.
“In humans, Ebola virus is detected using a diagnostic test for Ebola RNA. In dogs, scientists will have to establish the presence of Ebola virus RNA along with whether the virus is replication competent and infectious,” said Shila Nordone, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for the AKC Canine Health Foundation. “Only then will we have evidence that canine infection is a public health threat. All told, this will take many months.”
Dr. J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, a preeminent expert on infectious disease transmission in the dog, as well as the AVMA have provided the most current consensus opinions on Ebola in the dog.
Over the next several months as research advances, AKC CHF and the American Kennel Club will keep the public updated on any and all progress made to better understand the role of the dog as a reservoir for the Ebola virus. To support canine infectious disease research and to follow the latest information visit akcchf.org and akc.org.
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About AKC CHF
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping dogs live longer, healthier lives by funding research that helps prevent, treat, and cure canine disease. Established in 1995, CHF’s mission is to advance the health of all dogs and their owners by funding sound, scientific research and supporting the dissemination of canine health information. Through the generous support of the American Kennel Club, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health), dog clubs, and dog owners worldwide, CHF has dedicated more than $40 million to canine health research projects and education programs. Visit CHF online at http://www.akcchf.org for more information.
About AKC
The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 22,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit http://www.akc.org.
AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.
To become a fan of the AKC on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/americankennelclub. To follow the AKC on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/akcdoglovers.
Sharla Seidel, AKC Canine Health Foundation, http://www.akcchf.org, +1 (919) 334-4014, [email protected]
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