People with monkeypox have been told to avoid contact with their pets for three weeks amid concerns that the animals may become infected and transmit the virus to others.
Smallpox is caused by a viral infection and can be found in animals, including rodents and monkeys, as well as in humans. It is commonly found in Central and West Africa, but in recent weeks there has been an increase in human cases in countries where the disease is not endemic, including the United Kingdom.
Experts have now advised people who have been diagnosed with monkeypox to avoid contact with their pets for three weeks.
“Based on current evidence, for pet rodents in homes where there are infected people, temporary removal from the home for a limited quarantine period (21 days) and testing to rule out infection are recommended. especially when there are infected human contacts who have had close contact.
Other mammals that are kept as pets, such as cats and dogs, should be kept isolated in the home with regular veterinary checks “to ensure that no clinical signs are observed.”
Wendi Shepherd, UKHSA’s director of monkeypox incidents, said: “We continue to identify more cases of monkeypox in England. contact with any pet for 21 days “.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) added that if possible, another person in the household should take care of the pet, including food and care. But the UKHSA said that if it was not possible to avoid contact with pets, people with monkeypox should minimize contact and wash their hands before and after.
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However, the UKHSA and Defra have emphasized that the risk of someone passing smallpox to their pet is low, and the latter points out that there is only evidence of risk for a limited number of species, most which are rodents.
“No cases of pet monkeypox have ever been suspected or reported in the UK and the risk remains low,” said Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss.
The move comes when the UKHSA announced that 16 more cases of monkeypox had been identified in England, for a total of 101. So far, three cases have been found in Scotland and one in Wales and Northern Ireland. .