Plot Worldwide monkeypox outbreak
Scientists have reported the first reported case of monkeypox transmission from human to pet. In a report published in The Lancet, experts described a case in an Italian greyhound.
What is known about the infection of a dog with monkeypox?
According to a report in The Lancet, the animal contracted monkeypox presumably from its owners. Dog owners — homosexual couple from France. Men discovered the first symptoms of the disease at the end of May. They developed abscesses on their bodies, fever, headaches and weakness. The men self-isolated at home along with the Italian greyhound.
The first symptoms in the dog appeared 13 days after the diagnosis of the disease in the owners. Mucocutaneous lesions appeared on the dog's body, including pustules (pustules) on the abdomen. Scientists conducted PCR testing of samples of affected skin, as well as smears from the oral cavity. Research has confirmed infection with the monkeypox virus. According to the results obtained, the strain that has been actively spreading since May 2022 was found in the dog. At the same time, the virus that infected the owner and the pet coincides 100%.
Who is considered the main carrier of the disease?
In West and Central Africa, rodents are the main carrier of monkeypox: striped squirrels , tree squirrels, gambian rats, dormice and non-human primates.
Human infection occurs mainly through contact with wild animals, butchering their carcasses, eating meat and offal without heat treatment.
Can domestic animals transmit monkeypox?
According to researchers, no cases of reverse transmission from pets have yet been recorded. But scientists say pets can act as carriers of the virus.
So, in 2003, a Texan entrepreneur imported several giant Gambian hamster rats from Africa to the United States. At that time, they became popular pets in Western countries. Some of the rodents on board became infected with the monkeypox virus, and when they arrived at their destination, the animals spread the disease. In six states, 71 cases of the disease were reported, hospitalization was required for 18 infected.
How do pets tolerate the disease?
As Izvestia was told by Head of the Yekaterinburg Research Institute of Viral Infections SSC VB “Vector” Rospotrebnadzor, Doctor of Biological Sciences Alexander Semenov, in most animals, monkeypox is relatively mild, and no special measures are required. However, the sick pet should be isolated for 21 days.
Sources:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140- 6736(22)01487-8/fulltext
http://cgon.rospotrebnadzor.ru/content/633/ospa-obezyan
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