Ebola Restom Philippines, Update

[clayjon at ibm.net]

Hello,

I have some interest in this subject because I live a few kilometers
from the Ferlite monkey breeding farm which is the sourece of the
Ebola Restom strain that appeared many years ago and was detected
again last year in some animals shipped to a lab in Texas.

I lurk here occassionally  to pick up info on this subject although I
am a total layman,  hope you don't mind my intrusion..

Update:

One year ago   both local authorities and experts from
the CDC sent teams to Ferlite farms located 60 Km. south of Manila.
Although a number of infected monkies were found they recommended that
the farm not be shut down since the Restom strain posed no threat to
humans. This recomendation came from the CDC. Only sick monkies were
destroyed and the farm disinfected. Interestingly, the CDC had all the
farm workers tested and afterwards they announced that a few of the
workers showed signs of exposure (antibodies?) to Restom although this
posed no threat since the virus is not harmful to man.

Two weeks ago government teams again sealed up the farm
and retested monkies. After announcing that they had discovered
that at least 2 infected monkies were found they ordered the farm to
be shut down and all monkies destroyed. A military unit kept the place
closed and the elimination of the animals began within a day of the
order in spite of protests from the owners and some of their U.S.
customers that there is no danger. The local press jumped on the story
and in attempt to videotape the "executions"  with the intention of
sensationalizing the whole thing by showing the gory details, the
military overeacted and a minor riot ensued, no one was hurt
fortunately, and the videotapes were never shown . It was reported
that the infected monkies were captured in the wild and were  not the
monkies bred at the farm. The last news was that all 800 monkies were
killed and destroyed and that all farmworkers and local residents
would again be tested. The story is over and there is no panic or
concern over the incident.

I would be curious to hear any reactions from this group on this
episode and whether or not the destruction was necessary.
Would you agree that Ebola Restom will never pose any threat
to man? Also if some farmworkers have antibodies to Ebola
Restom might not this be a potential cure to the more dangerous
strains?

thanks,    Jon Pettyjohn
               Calamba, Laguna
               Philippines
              clayjon at ibm.net

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