More than 19,000 cases of monkeypox have been recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 76 nations, including 18,800 in 70 nations where monkeypox has never been documented.
After learning that the monkeypox virus has been transmitted for the first time ever in France from a human to a dog, a WHO official advised people who have the disease to keep their pets away from them.
Every Detail You Need To Know About Pets And Monkey Pox
· A case of a dog with monkeypox infection that may have been contracted from humans was detailed in a Lancet paper that was published earlier this week.
· Although prairie pet dogs were linked to a monkeypox outbreak in the United States earlier this year, there was no information on human-to-human transmission. The prairie dogs are actually
burrowing, herbivorous ground squirrels, not actual dogs.
· Monkeypox transmission from humans to dogs is a more recent discovery. However, according to Dr. Rosamund Lewis, WHO Technical Lead on Monkey Pox, that is not unusual.
· A group reported the most recent instance from the Sorbonne University in Paris, where a four-year-old Italian greyhound owned by two males was diagnosed with monkeypox despite having no history of illness.
· The dog manifested with mucocutaneous lesions involving both skin and mucous membranes within 12 days of the two men’s symptoms of monkeypox beginning, including red, sensitive lumps on the belly and anal skin ulcers.
· As infected animals can spread the disease, the CDC also urges patients with monkeypox to avoid contact with animals, including their pets. Through personal contact, including caressing, cuddling, embracing, kissing, and licking, as well as sharing sleeping quarters and meals, infected
people may be able to pass the monkeypox virus to animals.
· The CDC advises keeping pets at home and away from people and other animals for 21 days following the most recent contact if they have been in close contact with someone who has symptoms of monkeypox.
· “Pets should be kept apart from any potentially affected family members. As a result, this has served as an illustration of a precautionary strategy and messaging because we were unaware
that anything similar had ever occurred “WHO specialists remarked.
How Should Pets Be Treated If You Have Monkey Pox?
If you have monkeypox and are staying home alone, make sure to wash your hands both before and after caring for your healthy pets. Additionally, when caring for your animals, you need to wear gloves, long sleeves and slacks to cover skin rashes, a mask or respirator that fits properly, and other appropriate clothing.
- Please refrain from masking your pet.
- Keep your pet away from you at all times.
- Please take care to prevent your pet from coming into contact with infected household goods including the patient’s clothing, linens, and towels.
- Pets and wild animals shouldn’t be allowed to touch bandages, rashes, or bodily fluids.
- During its isolation, make sure that any food, toys, bedding, or other materials you offer are not in close contact with your pet in order to prevent skin or uncovered rashes.
Important!
- Due to the risk of exposure to the monkeypox virus, kindly refrain from surrendering, euthanizing, or abandoning pets.
- Chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other items like hand sanitizers, counter-cleaning wipes, or industrial or surface cleaners shouldn’t be used to wipe or bathe your pet.
Final Thoughts: In some instances, it could be necessary to confine and treat animals who have contracted monkeypox away from their usual environment. Animals that were in close touch with a monkeypox-infected individual should not be cared for by immunocompromised people, pregnant women, children under the age of 8, or anyone with atopic dermatitis or eczema since they may be more susceptible to severe consequences.
(Source: Medical Agencies)