Liberia: Dog Suspected in New Ebola Case Tests Negative for the Virus
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Version 0 of 1. A dead dog suspected of being the possible source for the re-emergence of Ebola in Liberia has tested negative for the disease, health officials said Tuesday, citing initial findings. Liberia’s first victim of the virus since the country was declared Ebola-free in early May had eaten dog meat shortly before he died on June 28, acquaintances say. Researchers retrieved and tested the remains of the dog in Margibi County, the sources said. While the test was negative, “we have to be careful because the remains are in bad condition and the test is designed for humans,” said a health official in Liberia who asked for anonymity because research was continuing. Experts are baffled by Ebola’s reappearance in Liberia, especially since the first new victim, Abraham Memaigar, 17, lived far from the borders of Guinea and Sierra Leone, which are still struggling to end the outbreak. Liberia has since reported two more cases linked to the first; both people have been hospitalized. Monkeys and pigs are known to be able to carry Ebola, although there has never been proof that dogs can. |