United Nations Radio

Experts from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have arrived in Manila to participate in a joint mission to further investigate the Ebola Reston virus identified last October in pigs from two farms in the Philippines.

The joint team will work with Philippines counterparts to address, through field and laboratory investigation, important questions as to the source of the virus, its transmission, its virulence and its natural habitat, in order to provide appropriate guidance for animal and human health protection.

WHO testing ebola

A joint statement by the three agencies say the fact that this is the first time that the virus has been found outside monkeys, and the first time ever, worldwide , that it has been found in swine, a food producing animal, makes this mission particularly important.

The statement says this is especially so when one considers the potential implications for animal and human health and welfare.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.
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