ebola

I was wonder if ebola or any other disease can be transferred by wild caught animals to humans or other animals in captivity?
I know that for example in fishes, fish tuberculosis can be passed to humans and live in land well as it does in water.

leedragon said:

I was wonder if ebola or any other disease can be transferred by wild caught animals to humans or other animals in captivity?
I know that for example in fishes, fish tuberculosis can be passed to humans and live in land well as it does in water.

Click to expand...

That's a loaded question. There are so many diseases out there and some can be passed so I guess the short answer is yes....such as tularemia, salmonella, avian flu, leprosy, leptospirosis, rabies, giardia, Hantavirus, histoplasmosis, botulism, West Nile virus, various skin diseases, etc (excuse my spelling of some of these!). You'd have to research the exact disease itself to find out if it can pass from one taxonomic group to another.

You live in Stockholm, you'll be fine. Ebola is not airborne and because your country is a developed first world country with effective water and sanitation you have nothing to fear. Just do what you always would have done and don't lick other people's wastes.

As for the animals, ebola is exclusively symptomatic in humans and primates. Its life cycle includes bats and deer or something but they're just carriers. In other words the only thing safer from Ebola than a person living in a first world country is their pet chameleon : P

So, basically what I'm trying to say is that you have *nothing* to fear from ebola and neither do your pets. If you want to live a safer life the usual advice applies: put your cell phone away before you drive, don't smoke and try to do some cardio.

inlinefourpower said:

...don't lick other people's wastes.

Click to expand...

This is good advise ALWAYS, not just for avoiding Ebola.

While there are a number of diseases which easily make the jump from animals to humans, there are not too many of them that make the jump from reptiles to mammals. Even less risk for a captive bred reptile and its human servant (I mean "keeper"). Some reptiles have been known to carry salmonella - wash your hands before and after handling (this helps protect you both) and just don't kiss your chameleon.

Try not to worry too much. The Ebola thing is very scary, but as said above, it's not airborne - transmission has to occur through direct contact with waste fluid from an infected person (saliva, blood, vomit, feces), either from the person themselves or on clothing etc. Stay away from sick monkeys and bush meat in the meantime, just in case.

I agree (though like many people, on very little evidence) that Ebola is not likely a big risk for virtually anyone outside West Africa. That said, it apparently can be transmitted zoonotically:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...-police-in-campaign-to-protect-Ebola-dog.html

Wikipedia says this :
"In a systematic review of 1,415 pathogens known to infect humans, 61% were zoonotic." So: think of some infectious disease that you could contract; chances are, you could get that disease from a non-human animal.

Reptiles cannot carry the Ebola virus. It is carried by humans, primates and bats. With bats being the most common. This whole Ebola thing is really freaking me out, I work in a hospital as a " front line" worker and they are already preparing us for if and when it hits my hospital I may have to find a new profession. But anyway I wouldn't worry about getting Ebola along with your next chameleon shipment

Socratic Monologue said:

I agree (though like many people, on very little evidence) that Ebola is not likely a big risk for virtually anyone outside West Africa. That said, it apparently can be transmitted zoonotically:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...-police-in-campaign-to-protect-Ebola-dog.html

Wikipedia says this :
"In a systematic review of 1,415 pathogens known to infect humans, 61% were zoonotic." So: think of some infectious disease that you could contract; chances are, you could get that disease from a non-human animal.

Click to expand...

The U.S. Just had there first case of Ebola as well as Spain..the risk is here

Ebola...scan down to read about animal vectors under the heading Reservoir...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebola_virus_disease


Bats...
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/5619...out-control-video-bats-virus.htm#.VDXIv6U9l0s

Maybe birds too...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0219_030219_ebolaorigin_2.html

They better do everything they can to get this under control I live an hour from dallas and it scares me. This could turn into so much more than it is already. I know we are more advanced that Africa, but there is still no cure. There is now a case in the UK and there talking about putting the owners dog down.

A country with modern sanitation has nothing to fear. Unless central America gets blasted by this thing and piles over the border too rapidly for sanitation to keep up with...

Just wash your hands and you'll be fine.

inlinefourpower said:

A country with modern sanitation has nothing to fear. Unless central America gets blasted by this thing and piles over the border too rapidly for sanitation to keep up with...

Just wash your hands and you'll be fine.

Click to expand...

Its a little more complicated than that...direct contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids seem to be key, modern sanitation or not. Dallas and Madrid had "modern sanitation". Proper physical barriers and washing hands with the proper disinfectants after exposure would matter more.

Think about how many things you touch every day that other people touch. Keep that in mind when you say all you need to do is wash your hands. Washing hands is key don't get me wrong.

Carlton said:

Its a little more complicated than that...direct contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids seem to be key, modern sanitation or not. Dallas and Madrid had "modern sanitation". Proper physical barriers and washing hands with the proper disinfectants after exposure would matter more.

Click to expand...

Well, there's a difference between what happened in Madrid and Dallas and what is happening in Liberia and all. I mean, we're talking one case per versus thousands. But I'm no expert, I just think there are countries in the world where diseases like Ebola wouldn't end up a serious problem because they have better infrastructure/medical care/etc.

I suppose the only thing I *do* know is from my experience playing Pandemic. Madagascar should be shutting down their ports soon and at that point the humans always win. And incidentally, the chameleons : P

inlinefourpower said:

I suppose the only thing I *do* know is from my experience playing Pandemic.

Click to expand...

That's a great game!

Carlton said:

Its a little more complicated than that...direct contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids seem to be key, modern sanitation or not. Dallas and Madrid had "modern sanitation". Proper physical barriers and washing hands with the proper disinfectants after exposure would matter more.

Click to expand...

I read that the nurse in Madrid was in fact wearing the proper protective clothing as instructed by the WHO but contacted Ebola anyway.
It should not have happened.

I manage most of the hospitals pharm waste in SC. I also am a chemical specialist with a backround with biological disasters (mostly military nerve agents) I can say, the risk is real but also keep in mind it really takes a lot to be affected by this and I can tell you we already have a plan in place for the virus. This is new to many so sure there is things that will happen but I would rest easy until more cases are known.

I have been told that they are now at major airports checking temps for people as they enter from west africa travelers.

I do expect with my knowledge for this to get out of hand and we will see more cases but everyone in our field is working to get a resolution so have faith and trust we will overcome this

If you have it in SC, you will be well taken care of

There are now three reported cases in the us. Dallas, Hawaii and somewhere else, can't remember but heard it on the radio a few days ago

ChamFreak said:

I manage most of the hospitals pharm waste in SC. I also am a chemical specialist with a backround with biological disasters (mostly military nerve agents) I can say, the risk is real but also keep in mind it really takes a lot to be affected by this and I can tell you we already have a plan in place for the virus. This is new to many so sure there is things that will happen but I would rest easy until more cases are known.

I have been told that they are now at major airports checking temps for people as they enter from west africa travelers.

I do expect with my knowledge for this to get out of hand and we will see more cases but everyone in our field is working to get a resolution so have faith and trust we will overcome this

If you have it in SC, you will be well taken care of

Click to expand...

I know the screening at the major airports is going to help, but what about the people who come into the country illegally?
There is a vast network of trafficking in drugs, contraband and people.
That concerns me a little.

Cait0420 said:

There are now three reported cases in the us. Dallas, Hawaii and somewhere else, can't remember but heard it on the radio a few days ago

Click to expand...

Test was negative for the patient in Hawaii who was in isolation.

Contacts of the patient in Dallas who died a few days ago are in isolation and have so far also tested negative for Ebola.
The hospital there, where he died, is under investigation.

Healthcare workers in the hospital in Madrid, where contacts with the nurse are being isolated, are going crazy with fear. Some of the staff refuse to return for work.

If you have it in SC, you will be well taken care of

Click to expand...

Sounds a little ominous. LOL

I need to cut back on watching youtube conspiracy theories.