Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 16:31:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: ProMED 
Subject: PRO/AH> Ebola, rodents & shrew - Cent.African Rep.

EBOLA, RODENTS & SHREW - CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
*****************************************************
A ProMED post 


[see: Ebola: e-book & websites         990820150609]

From: "Robertson, George" 
& "Chan Yow Cheong" 
&  "Marjorie P. Pollack" 
Source: Reuters Fri 15 Oct 1999


Pasteur Institute Finds Ebola In Non-Primates
- ---------------------------------------
France's Pasteur Institute said Thursday it had for the first time 
found traces of the lethal and mysterious Ebola virus in small,
non-primate mammals -- an important step in discovering its 
source. 

The virus causes hemorrhagic fever in humans with mortality rates 
of up to 90 percent. 

Ebola had been found in primates in the past, but no traces had 
been detected in tests on thousands of bats, birds and rodents 
captured in areas of Zaire or Sudan, where the first known cases 
broke out more than 20 years ago. 

Now, using sophisticated molecular biology tools, scientists have 
detected significant viral sequences in 7 apparently healthy animals 
caught at ground level in the Central African Republic. 

It added that the traces of the virus were identical to Ebola strains
isolated in Zaire and Gabon. "The study should help research 
toward finding the natural reservoir of the Ebola virus. It helps to 
better pinpoint areas where infected animals may be found and 
suggests new strategies for the detection of the virus,'' the
statement said. 

The French researchers -- based in Paris and the Central African 
Republic capital Bangui -- found traces of the virus identical to Ebola
strains isolated in the former Zaire and Gabon in the animals. They did not
find any live virus, but using molecular biology techniques were able to
find viral sequences in the apparently healthy animals. The animals were
caught at ground level -- casting doubt on current theory that the virus is
spread by flying mammals.

"This work provides evidence that different rodent species and one 
shrew species have been in contact with the Ebola virus - terrestrial
species are concerned, contrary to the current hypothesis," the spokesman
said. "In addition, these results fit well with the history of fauna in
tropical Africa. They show that there is a common Ebola virus subtype for
Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon.

"This subtype differs from that of Ivory Coast. Recent studies have
concluded that fauna from the Congo basin clearly differs from the one of
West African regions. The evolution of virus seems to follow that of the
mammalian fauna, suggesting a common history."
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