First possible case of human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox found in Paris

The first possible case of human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox was identified in a greyhound living in Paris with owners who had tested positive for the virus.

Although the World Health Organization has considered human-to-animal transmission of monkeypox a possibility, this is the first known case of a pet contracting the virus from its owners.

It raises questions about what kind of isolation policies to consider when it comes to pets and infectious diseases like monkeypox.

“Our findings should prompt discussion about the need to isolate pets from people who are positive for monkeypox virus. We call for further investigation into secondary transmissions through pets,” the researchers who identified the case stated in their report on the incident, published August 10 in the journal. the lancet

According to the researchers, two men living in Paris, who were diagnosed with monkeypox in June, reported sleeping together with their dog.

Twelve days after symptoms began appearing in the men, their four-year-old male Italian Greyhound developed “mucocutaneous lesions,” including pustules on the abdomen and a “thin anal ulceration,” according to The Lancet. The dog tested positive for monkeypox through a PCR testing method that involves swabbing lesions on the skin, anus, and oral cavity.

“To our knowledge, the kinetics of symptom onset in both patients and subsequently in their dog suggests human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox virus,” the researchers state in the report.

“Given the dog’s skin and mucosal lesions, as well as positive monkeypox virus PCR results from anal and oral swabs, we hypothesized a real canine disease, not a simple carrier of the virus. by close contact with humans or airborne transmission (or both), ” the state.

Monkeypox is known to infect many animals, including monkeys, anteaters, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, squirrels and shrews, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Until the new dog case in Paris, there were only reports of dogs transmitting monkeypox to humans.

In 2003, an outbreak of monkeypox occurred in domesticated prairie dogs after they shared bedding with infected West African mammals, according to the CDC. explains on his website. This led to 47 human cases of monkeypox in the US in six states.

“Cases of animal-to-animal and animal-to-person spread, such as the 2003 outbreak, demonstrate the need to reduce the risk of secondary infections to and from animals by isolating infected people, as well as exposed and infected animals. ”, the CDC states.

Ontario’s guidelines for those diagnosed with monkeypox have included information on pets, advising residents to avoid close or prolonged contact with pets, “including touching, snuggling and kissing animals, especially if they have unhealed sores on the face, hands or arms. ”, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care states on its website.

In a statement to Star Wednesday, the World Health Organization said the dog has since recovered and the organization is “closely monitoring these developments and looking at how to adapt our response and guidance to the outbreak if necessary.”

Since late June, “various wild mammals have been shown to become infected with monkeypox virus in areas that had previously reported monkeypox,” the agency said, including animals such as squirrels, rats and nonhuman primates. Some animals have been asymptomatic, while others have developed skin rashes similar to those seen in humans with monkeypox.

The WHO recommends physical distancing between people with monkeypox and their pets, proper waste management to prevent infection from humans to pets and animals outside the home, such as in zoos.

It also advises those traveling to countries where monkeypox is occurring to avoid contact with sick animals and to “refrain from eating or handling wild animals.”

“Since many animal species are known to be susceptible to monkeypox virus, there is a potential for the virus to spread from humans to susceptible animal species in different environments, which could lead to the formation of new animal reservoirs,” he added.

As of August 12, there have been 1,059 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Canada.

The OMS reported on Wednesday that globally there have been more than 35,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox from 92 countries and territories and 12 people have died.

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