Have dogs and cats been reported to be clinically affected by Ebola virus or able to spread it?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only in certain strains
• D. Not studied

Answer: (A)

Understanding host range and transmission is key here. Ebola virus disease in humans is severe, and outbreaks have caused illness primarily in humans and some nonhuman primates. Domestic dogs and cats have not been reported to develop clinical Ebola illness, nor to transmit the virus to people. There have been serology studies showing exposure in dogs during outbreaks, but these findings do not demonstrate disease or onward transmission. In short, there is no credible evidence that dogs or cats become clinically affected or can spread Ebola to humans, so the statement is false. (Other strains can affect different animal species, such as nonhuman primates, but that does not establish disease or transmission in dogs or cats.)