New Delhi, Aug 17 : People who are infected with monkeypox should quarantine their pets, according to an official with the World Health Organization, after an investigation revealed the first instance of dog-to-human transmission of the virus in France.In an Lancet report this week French researchers described the first instance of an animal with confirmed monkeypox, which could have been acquired via human transmission.
A previous outbreak of monkeypox in the US was connected to prairie dog but no human to animal transmission was identified.
According to Dr.Rosamund Lewis, WHO Technical Lead for monkeypox, the first transmission from dog to human of this virus is not new but not shocking, The Washington Post reported.
“It is not known that dogs were infected before.Therefore, on a variety of levels this is a brand new fact.It’s not a surprise and is something we’ve been watching for.” Lewis was quoted as saying.
In the US outbreak, Lewis said it was all people who were infected due to contact with the new pets they had acquired in different states, from one central source.Lewis also said the pets were infected.
However, in the most recent case an investigation team from the Sorbonne University in Paris recorded the case of monkeypox in two men who had sex with men who have sex with men.The Italian greyhound aged four years old and with no medical issues prior to the incident was positive for the virus.
The dog, which was sleeping with the men was diagnosed with mucocutaneous (involving both normal mucous membrane and skin) lesions, which included tender, red bumps with white pus on the abdomen and an anal skin ulcer just 12 days after the first onset of symptoms of monkeypox in the two men.
“Pets must be separated from family members that could be affected.This is an illustration of an approach to preventive to communicate a message of caution, since we didn’t know that this had occurred prior to this,” Lewis said.
“We do not know if the dog could transmit the virus to any other pet for instance.This is a scenario where the majority of pets are not at risk.It’s only the ones who are in the house of the person who’s infected.she added.
She said that, within the WHO experts are working with partners like the World Organization of Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization to solve the issue.
In addition the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also suggests people with monkeypox to stay clear of contact with animals such as pets because animals that are infected can transmit the virus to humans and it’s “possible that people infected may spread the virus to animals through close contact, such as cuddling, petting kissing, licking, sharing sleeping places, or sharing food items”.
Pets that had close contact with someone with monkeypox-like symptoms should be kept in a secure area away from animals as well as humans for 21 days following their most recent contact the CDC stated.
“We continue to learn about which species of animals are susceptible to getting monkeypox” the agency stated.
“While we don’t know if amphibians, reptiles or birds are susceptible to monkeypox, it’s unlikely as these animals haven’t been identified as being at risk with another orthopoxvirus.”
rvt/
