One Health approach recommended in investigating and communicating the potential role of pigs in transmitting Ebola in Uganda
Year: 2015
Type: other
Abstract: Zoonotic diseases are most dangerous when they take animal and human health workers by surprise, giving the public and disease control officials no advance warning or time to put prevention measures in place.The recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa illustrates the adverse consequences of trying to tackle a disease outbreak too late and with little information.Ebola is a serious but mysterious disease; in Uganda, there is little solid information on the reservoir and transmission of Ebola.However, research findings in the last few decades have given rise to speculation that there could be associations between pigs and Ebola.Currently, there is no evidence that pigs have had any role in past outbreaks of Ebola virus disease.But given the huge importance of pigs to the Ugandan economy, diet and livelihoods, it is important to investigate any potential links sooner rather than later.A recent study by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) argues there are several factors that support the potential role of pigs in the transmission of Ebola to humans in Uganda.It is critical that this hypothesis be investigated in order to understand the risks to the country's burgeoning pig production industry.A spatial representation of potential risk factors for zoonotic transmission involving pigs in Uganda could be used to initiate further investigations into Ebola and other zoonotic diseases known to affect pigs in Uganda.
Authors: Smith, E., Atherstone, Christine, Grace, Delia
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2195503931