Pets can contract monkeypox, doctors say

Dog in Paris was diagnosed with virus after interacting with infected owners

Monkeypox infections have been detected in rodents and other wild animals, but this is the first known infection in a domesticated animal. AP

Health officials are warning people who are infected with monkeypox to stay away from household pets, as the animals could be at risk of catching the virus.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has had this guideline in place for months, as monkeypox continues to spread across the country.

But the reminder about the virus's danger to pets gained new attention after a report from France was published in the medical journal Lancet about an Italian greyhound that caught the disease.

The dog belongs to a couple who said they sleep alongside the animal. The two men became infected with monkeypox and wound up with lesions, among other symptoms.

The greyhound later developed lesions and was subsequently diagnosed with the virus.

“Our findings should prompt debate on the need to isolate pets from monkeypox virus-positive individuals,” the authors of the Lancet study concluded. “We call for further investigation on secondary transmissions via pets.”

Monkeypox infections have been detected in rodents and other wild animals, which can spread the virus to humans. But the authors called it the first known monkeypox infection in a domesticated animal.

“Pets that had close contact with a symptomatic person with monkeypox should be kept at home and away from other animals and people for 21 days after the most recent contact,” the CDC said in a statement on its website dated August 12.

“Infected people should not take care of exposed pets.”

Domesticated animals may also pick up the virus through blankets or other household items used by patients, the CDC said, and added that if a pet appears to be sick, owners should contact a vet.

Westminster Dog Show — in pictures

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  Trumpet the bloodhound, with his handler Heather Helmer, after winning Best in Show at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York. Reuters

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  Trumpet also won in the Hound category. AP Photo

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  The judges love his floppy ears and facial folds. Reuters

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  A handler celebrates with MM, a Lakeland terrier, after winning the terrier group at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. AP

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  A miniature bull terrier is given a treat after entering the arena for the Terrier group judging event. AFP

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  An American hairless terrier competes in the Terrier group judging event. AFP

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  A Dandie Dinmont terrier is looked over by a judge. AFP

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  The Dandie Dinmont terrier is run in the ring during judging. Reuters

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  A Skye terrier competes. Getty Images

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  A Bedlington terrier competes. Getty Images

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  Striker, a Samoyed, wins in the Working group. AP

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  A coloured bull terrier competes. Getty Images

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  MM, the winner in the Terrier group. AP

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  A wire fox terrier is run in the ring. Reuters

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  A Tibetan mastiff competes in the Working group. AP

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  A Neapolitan mastiff competes in the Working group judging event. Getty Images

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  Dog owners prepare to participate in the Working group judging event. Getty Images

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  A handler runs a Newfoundland dog during judging in the Working group. Reuters

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  A boxer competes in the Working group judging event. Getty Images

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  A Komondor in the ring during the Working group judging. AFP

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  Belle, an English setter, wins in the sporting group. AP

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  An Ascob (which stands for 'any solid colour other than black') cocker spaniel competes in the Sporting group. AP

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  A parti-colour cocker spaniel competes in the Sporting group judging event. AFP

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  Handler Lenny Brown runs with River, a German shepherd dog who won Best in Breed during judging, and the Herding category. Reuters

Agencies contributed to this report