CDC Updates Monkeypox Guidance After French Dog Tests Positive

Monkeypox is in the headlines again. However, this time it is related to a family pet catching the virus from its owner. The owners live in France and had allowed their four-year-old male greyhound to sleep in their bed. Following an article published in the Lancet medical journal, the CDC has updated its monkeypox guidance for pets.

Family dog catches monkeypox from owners

The CDC has updated its monkeypox guidance after an article was published in The Lancet medical journal about a family pet catching the virus. There were no previous reports of monkeypox infections in dogs and cats.

Reportedly, Rosamund Lewis of the World Health Organization (WHO) said the case, involving an Italian greyhound in France, marked “the first incident that we’re learning about where there is human to animal transmission.” However, Lewis did tell the Washington Post that scientists don’t yet know if the greyhound, or any other dog, can transmit the infection to anyone else. Lewis added:

This is an example where most pets will not be at risk. It may only be those who are actually in the household of someone who’s infected.

The monkeypox study has called for further investigation of secondary transmission via pets. The scientists noted that their findings should prompt debate on the need to isolate pets from monkeypox virus-positive individuals.

Greyhound dog in Paris catches monkeypox

The greyhound in question lives in Paris. The dog tested positive for the virus two days after the two men it lived with first displayed symptoms. According to researchers, these included lesions and pustules on the dog’s abdomen, as well as ulceration. Meanwhile, medical workers were able to match the infection of one of the men to the dog’s infection via DNA analysis.

Like many dog lovers, the couple allows their greyhound to sleep with them in their bed. However, they noted that they have been careful to prevent their dog from having contact with other pets or humans since their diagnosis with the virus.

The study, published last week, reads:

To the best of our knowledge, the kinetics of symptom onset in both patients and, subsequently, in their dog suggest human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox virus.

Meanwhile, in the CDC’s guidance, they warn as follows:

Infected animals can spread monkeypox virus to people, and it is possible that people who are infected can spread monkeypox virus to animals through close contact.

The CDC stated that currently, they do not know all the symptoms infected animals may have. However, owners should “watch their dog for potential signs of illness.” These include “lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, nasal secretions or crust, bloating, fever, and/or pimple- or blister-like skin rash.”

Of importance to note, monkeypox is transmitted through close, prolonged contact with an infected individual. According to the Sorbonne University study, “in endemic countries, only wild animals (rodents and primates) have been found to carry monkeypox virus.” However, it did state that transmission has been reported in prairie dogs in the US, as well as captive primates in Europe.

Current monkeypox status in the US

Last week, the number of confirmed monkeypox cases in the US surpassed 10,000. This came as the US government developed a strategy to stretch available monkeypox vaccine doses.

Dog owners should be aware of the potential signs of illness in their pets, especially if they themselves catch monkeypox.