People with monkeypox have been told to avoid contact with their pets for three weeks for fear that the animals could become infected and pass the virus on to others.
Monkeypox is caused by a viral infection and can be found in animals, including rodents and monkeys, as well as humans. It is common in Central and West Africa, but in recent weeks there has been an increase in cases in people in countries where the disease is not endemic, including the United Kingdom.
Experts now advise people who have been diagnosed with monkeypox to avoid contact with their pets for three weeks.
Based on current evidence, for rodents in households where there are infected people, temporary removal from the household for a limited period of quarantine (21 days) and testing to rule out infection is recommended, especially when there are infected human contacts who are have had close and prolonged direct contact with the animal or its litter and / or litter ‘, the management of a group of different agencies states.
Other mammals kept as pets, such as cats and dogs, should be kept in isolation at home with regular veterinary checks “to ensure that no clinical signs are observed”.
Wendy Shepard, director of monkeypox incidents at UKHSA, said: “We continue to identify new cases of monkeypox in England in a timely manner. As a precautionary measure, our healthcare teams advise confirmed cases to avoid contact with pets for 21 days. “
The Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) added that if possible, someone else in the household should take care of the pet, including feeding and maintaining it. But UKHSA said that if it is 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, UKHSA and Defra stressed that the risk of someone transmitting monkeypox to their pet is low, noting that there is evidence of risk for only a limited number of species, most of which are rodents.
“No cases of monkeypox have been suspected or reported in pets in the UK and the risk remains low,” said veterinary director Christine Middlemis.
The move comes after the UKHSA announced that 16 more cases of monkeypox have been identified in England, bringing the total to 101. To date, three cases have been found in Scotland and one each in Wales and Northern Ireland.
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