Dog gets monkeypox in France after being infected by owners

In Paris, a Italian greyhound contracted monkeypox, presumably from its owners, Business Insider reports, citing a publication in The Lancet. The owners of the animal - two men living in a free partnership - discovered the first symptoms of the disease at the end of May. Both had ulcers on their bodies, after which the temperature rose, headaches and weakness appeared. The men self-isolated at home along with their pet, a 4-year-old Italian greyhound.

Approximately 12 days after the humans became ill, the symptoms - purulent blisters on the abdomen and minor damage to the anus - appeared in a dog that slept with the owners in the same bed. The test showed that both the men and the dog were infected with the same monkeypox virus.

Monkeypox is known to infect a wide variety of mammals. However, transmission from humans to animals has not been reported before. “This is the first case that we know of, at least in the Western world, during this latest outbreak. Most likely, this is a rarity,” Colin Parrish, professor of veterinary virology at Cornell University, commented on the news. According to the expert, there is no serious risk: “At the moment, there is no evidence that dogs will become permanent infected carriers of monkeypox.”

Dogs and cats can contract influenza viruses that are common in humans, but are asymptomatic. If viruses could easily jump from people to pets and back again, we would have many more common diseases. However, this case means that sick people should be more attentive to the pets living with them: during the illness, it is worth limiting contacts, not sharing a bed with them, avoiding hugs and kisses.