Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday (September 10) assured the public amid fears about Ebola-infected monkeys in the Philippines, after 10 monkeys were found positive of Ebola Reston virus in a facility in the country.
According to Health Secretary Janette Garin, humans are safe from the virus.
Garin described this strain of Ebola to be the “kindest” to humans, unlike the deadly strain that claimed hundreds of lives in Africa.
She said 10 monkeys with suspected cases of Ebola Reston virus died in August. This prompted further testing of around 300 monkeys living in the same facility.
Fourteen monkeys were screened for the virus, of which 10 were tested positive for Ebola Reston.
One died while the remaining nine are recovering in the facility.
It was found that these monkeys can be traced to two other facilities in the country, with one of them testing negative for the virus while results are still being awaited for the other.
So far all caretakers in all three facilities have tested negative for Ebola Reston virus.
The DOH is working closely with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in tracing the source of the Ebola Reston virus found in Philippine monkeys.
The DA quarantined monkeys making sure zero movement is implemented, while the DENR is doing a surveillance of the places surrounding the facilities to see if the Ebola Reston virus is also positive in other animals.
Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Reano cautioned the public against keeping monkeys as pets.
He added the natural habitat of animals should be respected, citing deforestation and illegal hunting as reasons for human interaction that is unnecessary.
