In a surprising first case of human-to-animal transmission of the Monkeypox virus, a pet dog have been detected with virus infection. The suspected case of human-to-dog transmission is the first ever to be reported in France, it was published in a scientific paper in the online journal The Lancet.
Normally monkeypox virus transmits from human to human through body lesions infected aerosols or sharing the infected beddings and animal to human transmission is the origin of monkeypox. But there was no such sign or evidence of human-to-animal infection of monkeypox.
More about human-to-animal transmission of monkeypox virus
According to the scientific paper published in the Lancet, two men were found infected with the monkeypox virus in the month of June 2022 in France. 12 days after the onset of symptoms their pet dog also presented with disorders like mucocutaneous lesions, including abdomen pustules and thin anal ulceration. On investigation, the doctors found that the dog also contracted the monkeypox virus. To confirm whether the infection was transmitted from the owner to the dog a DNA sampling was done from the sample of both dog and the owner.
Surprisingly, both samples contained the same monkeypox virus, which has been spreading in non-endemic countries since April 2022. It is the same virus that has infected more than 1700 people in France, mostly concentrated in Paris, where the dog first developed symptoms. The men had reported co-sleeping with their pet dog. From the onset of their own symptom, they become careful to prevent their dog from contact with other pets or humans.
CDC lays new guidelines
This new finding is giving a warning bell that pets and animals can become carriers of this virus. Here are the new guidelines laid out by CDC, I’m just giving the summary, for more information visit the CDC site.
According to the CDC, animals infected with monkeypox can spread the virus to people and it is also possible that people can spread the infection to animals through close contact like kissing, cuddling, sleeping sharing food. If your pet is infected with monkeypox, here are a few guidelines for proper care:
- Get your pet tested by veternary if find signs in your pet like lethargy, not eating properly, coughing, discharge from the nose and/or secretion from the eye, fever, and/or pox-like skin lesions.
- Keep your sick pet separate from other animals. Avoid any type of contact with other people
- Isolate your sick pet to an isolated room.
- Do not leave or dispose of waste outdoors as Monkeypox virus infections in wildlife may occur.
- Properly disinfect the bedding, clothing, toys, food dishes, and any other items in direct contact with infected animals.
Keep Reading: What is Monkeypox Disease? Tips to prevent infection in your family
Journal reference
Evidence of human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox virus, Sophie Seang, Sonia Burrel, Eve Todesco, Valentin Leducq, Gentiane Monsel, Diane Le Pluart, et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01487-8
Dr Sunit Sanjay Ekka is a physiotherapist in practice for the last 15 years. He has done his BPT from one of the premium Central Government physiotherapy colleges, ie, SVNIRTAR. The patient is his best teacher and whatever he gets to learn he loves to share it on his Youtube channel and blog.