Ledger DC Journal - News, Politics & Crime

Ebola (Reston ebolavirus, or REBOV) has been found in pigs for the first time and there are concerns of mutation. An Associated Press report cites scientists that have presented evidence of a recent outbreak in the Philippines in pigs and first reported today.

Reston Ebolavirus (REBOV) - Only humans infected are the farm workers.

Breet Report muses, "Slaughtering infected animals is not going to help, breeds more disease. At this moment – it is only a matter of when will Ebola be an airborne disease."


Is it that serious? Some might call that quite extreme, but warnings are there. "These viruses cause viral hemorrhagic fevers, which cause extensive internal bleeding, and can be fatal," reports the BBC. Adds one scientist, “We know this family of viruses are associated with fatal illnesses in humans."

Researchers also warn that it is "theoretically possible for the virus to mutate in pigs into a form that might sicken people," according to the AP report. Before panic sets in, it should be noted that so far, the only humans infected are the farm workers that actually handled the infected pigs and they have shown no signs of illness.