Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 17:57
Updated: Wednesday, October 15, 2014
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Ebola concerns are on the rise following Dallas nurse Nina Pham's infection who contracted the virus while treating Patient Zero, Thomas Eric Duncan.
Pham's dog is also being watched following her diagnosis.
Today, the only Veterinary Medicine School in Texas spoke out about Ebola pet concerns.
KAGS HD News takes a look at the latest on the Ebola crisis.
They say a dog is a man's best friend.
'He's basically like my kid now,' said Carmen Maloney, who has a 7-month-old dog. 'I go out to restaurants and my boyfriend always makes fun of me and I'm always pulling out my phone showing pictures.'
Maloney says she would do anything for her dog.
It's a feeling she may share with Ebola patient, Nina Pham whose dog is now being monitored for the deadly virus.
'I know when Jack [Maloney's dog] was sick right when I got him with stomach problems and that's nothing like Ebola, but I was freaking out about that,' she added.
Many other pet owners are sharing that same concern.
Dr. Eleanor Green, Dean of Texas A&M University's School of Veterinary Medicine spoke to the media Wednesday morning regarding Ebola worries as it refers to pets.
'There have been no reports of any dogs that have shown clinical signs of Ebola, nor have there been reports of the role of dogs in the transmission of Ebola virus to humans,' Green said.
Texas A&M University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remain adamant that there's no evidence of pets testing positive for the Ebola virus, however pet owners tell us if they found themselves in the such situation, they would take every precaution necessary to avoid transmission.
'I would definitely be running over to the vet getting him checked out,' Maloney added. 'I don't know if I would keep him with me at home.'
She says she would take precautionary steps all in an effort to prevent transmission of the deadly virus.
