MONKEYPOX IN PETS
Source- Indian Express
Context
The first case of human-to-animal transmission of monkeypox virus was reported in a dog in Paris.
The US public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention(CDC), updated its guidelines for people with pets at home.
Key Points
- The infected dog showed symptoms of “mucocutaneous lesions” or marks on the skin, pus-filled patches on the abdomen, and thin formation of ulcers on the anus.
- It is unclear if dogs can spread the disease further to other animals or humans.
- Globally monkeypox cases have topped 35,000 since May 2022, when the disease was first reported outside its endemic areas in Central & West Africa.
- A majority of the reported cases at present are from Europe, and America according to WHO.
Human-To-Dog Transmission
- According to the reports, the infected dog would sleep on the same bed as two men who were non-exclusive sexual partners & shared the household.
- The men had tested positive for monkeypox in late May & showed symptoms of fever, headaches & anal ulcerations.
- After 12 days, the dog began showing symptoms & was soon tested.
- The men said they took care to prevent their dog from coming into contact with other pets or humans since the onset of symptoms.
- Among humans, monkeypox spreads through close contact with anyone infected, through infectious rashes & bodily fluids.
- A significant number of cases were concentrated among homosexuals(especially men).
- In endemic countries, only wild animals-rodents, primates- were found to carry the monkeypox virus.
- Infection among domesticated animals, like dogs, and cats had not been reported till now.
- As per CDC, monkeypox can infect a wide range of mammals like monkeys, hedgehogs, squirrels etc.
- No cases were detected in cats, they can get infected with other orthopoxviruses-the genus or subcategory of virus monkeypox belongs.
Protection of pets
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CDC suggested precautions, saying humans could spread the disease through close contact like Petting, Hugging, Kissing, Licking, Sharing sleeping areas and Sharing food.
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- People with monkeypox symptoms or who have recently tested positive need to avoid close contact.
- If the pet was not close to the owners, it can be shifted to another place until the recovery happens or for 3 weeks.
- Only after the recovery from monkeypox and disinfection of the infected home, healthy pets can come back home.
- Adding sanitizers, and disinfectants should not be used on pets.
