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CONTRIBUTOR(S): Elizabeth Youens, Vetstream Ltd, Fear Free,

Monkeypox and pets

Monkeypox and pets

Monkeypox (recently renamed Mpox) has been making headlines globally in 2022, as a huge rise in cases has been seen across Europe and the United States. It is a poxvirus, known to affect humans and some animals such as primates and small mammals. As infection rates rise, there’s plenty of information available about the risk to human health – but what about our pets? Should we be concerned about monkeypox in our animal companions? 

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What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a virus, coming from the same family of viruses (Orthopoxvirus) that also contains smallpox. It is naturally found in parts of Central and West Africa, where it is thought that the disease mainly lives in rodents and primates and is passed to people through contact with these animals (hence the name monkeypox).

Previously, it was rare to see cases of monkeypox outside of Africa and if these did occur they were usually seen in one person who had recently traveled to an infected area or had had contact with imported animals. There have been few examples when a case of monkeypox was transmitted from one person to another. However, in July 2022, The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of monkeypox to be a Public Health Emergency due to its spread between continents and rapidly increasing case numbers.

What are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox?

The main symptom of monkeypox in people is a rash. This is most often located around the genital and anal areas, but can also be found on the hands, feet, chest and face. It can initially look like pimples or small blisters, and is often itchy or mildly painful. The rash goes through several stages, including scabs, before healing.

Other signs include a fever, exhaustion, muscle aches, enlarged lymph nodes (which appear as lumps under the skin), headache and sore throat.

Symptoms usually occur within 3 weeks of exposure, and the disease lasts around 2-3 weeks. It is rarely fatal, and many people experience mild symptoms only.

How is monkeypox treated?

There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox. Care is usually supportive, with medications such as pain killers and antihistamines suggested to relieve discomfort and alleviate itching. Research is underway to determine whether an antiviral drug, tecovirimat (TPOXX), which is a smallpox treatment, may be appropriate in some severe cases in people.

Can monkeypox be passed on to other people or pets?

Monkeypox is both infectious to other people, and also zoonotic, ie it can spread between animals and humans. There is therefore a risk to pets, although this is currently thought to be very small.

People

Monkeypox spreads between people via close contact. This is either by direct physical contact with the rash, scabs or bodily fluids – including respiratory secretions. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects, fabrics or surfaces.

Animals

It is possible for people to contract the virus from animals, either through physical contact such as scratches or bites, or from infected meat and other products.

It is also possible for animals to catch monkeypox from humans, although it seems very rare. There has been one reported case of monkeypox in a pet dog in June 2022. The dog was owned by two people who both tested positive for monkeypox, and their pet developed symptoms (a rash around its belly and anus) 12 days later, and subsequently tested positive.

What precautions should be taken?

Given that monkeypox is zoonotic and infectious, it seems likely that person-to-animal spread of the virus is possible through close and direct contact. The one reported case in a dog was in a home in which the owners had close contact with their pet, including cuddling, kissing and sharing a bed.

The risk to pets seems very low, with only one reported case in a dog, and none in cats, despite the thousands of human cases reported. However, the risk is theoretically there for all pets, and so some precautions may be sensible.

If you have symptoms of monkeypox yourself, or have tested positive, it is recommended to avoid contact with other people, pets and wildlife. If you haven’t had contact with your pet since symptoms develop, your pet should be cared for by a trusted friend or family member until you are fully recovered, if this is possible.

If you have had contact with your pet since developing symptoms, keep them with you and isolate them and yourself from other people and animals. Reduce your pet’s exposure to the virus by avoiding physical contact, such as cuddling or sharing a bed or sofa. Observe optimal hygiene precautions such as washing hands frequently, wearing gloves to prepare their food and laundering bedding frequently.

If you are concerned that your pet may have monkeypox, contact a veterinarian. There are many causes for skin rashes in pets, and monkeypox is one of the least common, so there is no need for alarm. Your veterinarian will be able to arrange a test for monkeypox if there is any possibility that may be the cause.

Summary

  • Monkeypox is a viral disease, endemic in parts of Africa but now spreading globally.
  • The main symptom is a rash around the anogenital region, and sometimes the face, hands, feet and chest. It also causes flu-like signs.
  • It is spread through direct contact with the skin lesions or through secretions.
  • It is both infectious and zoonotic, so can be passed between humans and animals.
  • Monkeypox in pets appears rare, but there has been a confirmed case in a pet dog.
  • If you have monkeypox, isolate yourself from your pets as much as you can, and observe stringent hygiene.
  • Don’t panic, monkeypox is rare in pets and is not known to cause severe disease.

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