In Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, the countries most severely affected by the 2013-2016 Ebola virus epidemic, the outbreak vividly demonstrated the catastrophic humanitarian as well as economic consequences such an epidemic can have for the local population.
Previous Ebola virus outbreaks likely originated in bats, which act as a 'wild reservoir' for these viruses. Ebolaviruses belong to the Filoviridae family and can be transmitted accidentally to humans either directly from the reservoir host or indirectly via intermediate hosts, e.g., through contact with infected animals and especially their excretions and secretions. After initial entry into the human population, most transmission then occurs through direct human-to-human contact, which can lead to rapid spread of the virus. Although the zoonotic origin of Ebola virus outbreaks in humans has long been known, the role of susceptible animal species, their role as potential intermediate hosts, and the observed pathogenesis in these animal species is largely unknown.
Aim of this project is to further assess the role of pigs and dogs in the transmission chain of ebolaviruses in West Africa and thus work towards a detailed risk assessment. First data indicate an involvement of pigs in ebolavirus biology, but more detailed analysis and also animal studies are needed for a clearer picture. In contrast, the involvement of dogs is discussed highly controversial and a broader approach including serology and molecular biology is demanded for a risk assessment.
The questions raised can only be answered in a collaborative approach including our partners in Africa (Institut Pasteur in Guinea and Njala University in Sierra Leone). The project TRACE is therefore intended to further strengthen the partnerships established in the predecessor project "EbolaForesight" (funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) and importantly, to advance capacity building in these countries.
Project partners
FLI
Sandra Diederich
Amol Patil
Institut Pasteur Guinea
Noel Tordo
Solene Grayo
Njala University
Roland Suluku
