Ebola Reston Update

January 28, 2009 — 

A team of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ended a 10 day investigation at the 2 swine farms in the Philippines where the Ebola Reston virus was detected late last year.

One part of the overall official investigation, however, involved testing farm workers potentially exposed to the virus. Although no workers have exhibited any symptoms of the disease, one of the 50 workers sampled has reportedly tested positive for antibodies to the virus (apparently no virus was isolated). Although the virus has been known to infect humans, there have been no reports of serious illness or death associated with exposure or infection.

During outbreaks of the Reston strain in monkeys in the 1990s, a small number of people (around 25) were found to have antibodies against Ebola Reston. However, only one person had mild, flu-like symptoms. This person fully recovered. The other people who tested positive for antibodies did not have any symptoms or illness.

[Editor's note: There is a lot of work that remains to be done on this investigation. The results of the investigation will not be known for some time. The fact that one person seroconverted is not really surprising and the source of his/her exposure has not yet been determined. Experts stress that there appears to be little risk to human health associated with the finding of the Ebola Reston virus in farm animals. They recommend continued observance of standard handling and cooking practices when preparing pork.]

Source: ProMED-mail, January 23, 2009