FAO warns of fruit bat risk in West African ebola epidemic

Increased efforts are needed to improve awareness among
rural communities in West Africa about the risks of
contracting the Ebola virus from eating certain wildlife
species including fruit bats, FAO warned today.
Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are struggling to contain
the world's deadliest recorded outbreak of the virus, which
is transmitted by direct contact with the blood and body
fluids of infected people as well as infected animals.
The West African epidemic is thought to have started when
the virus crossed over from infected wildlife into the human
population and subsequently began spreading between
people.
Curbing human-to-human transmission is the most
important focus for governments and international health
agencies. However, FAO is working closely with the World
Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of the
transmission risks from wildlife among rural communities
that hunt for bushmeat - or meat obtained from the forests -
to supplement their diets and income. These communities
risk future spill-over from species that can carry the virus,
including fruit bats, some primates, and duikers.
"We are not suggesting that people stop hunting altogether,
which isn't realistic," said FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Juan
Lubroth. "But communities need clear advice on the need
not to touch dead animals or to sell or eat the meat of any
animal that they find already dead. They should also avoid
hunting animals that are sick or behaving strangely, as this
is another red flag."
Fruit bats - usually eaten dried or in a spicy soup - are
thought to be the most likely reservoir species for the virus,
which they can carry without developing clinical signs of
the disease, and should be avoided altogether, according to
FAO.
"The virus is killed when meat is cooked at a high
temperature or heavily smoked, but anyone who handles,
skins or butchers an infected wild animal is at risk of
contracting the virus," Lubroth said.
Myths and mistrust thwarting efforts
While several governments in the region have attempted to
outlaw the sale and consumption of bushmeat, bans have
proved impossible to enforce and have met with suspicion
from rural communities.