First case of human-to-pet transmission of monkeypox detected after dog contracts virus from gay couple
PARIS, FRANCE: The world has seen its very first instance of monkeypox being transmitted from a human to a pet. In this case, a dog, belonging to a gay couple, contracted monkeypox after sleeping on the same bed as its owners, who also had monkeypox. It is suspected that the French duo, who are 44 and 27 years old and were involved in a non-monogamic partnership, caught monkeypox after having sexual intercourse with several men.
On the four-year-old Italian greyhound's stomach, the couple claimed to have seen boils. A PCR exam confirmed that the canine had contracted the virus. According to the Lancet Medical Journal, the dog licked at least one of the two males and then licked itself while they were both sleeping.
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Since the couple was diagnosed in June, both of them have got severe ulcers and rashes. The dog started exhibiting symptoms of the infection 12 days after the pair's symptoms started. The couple said that since the beginning of their respective symptoms, they had taken measures to keep their pet away from other animals and people.
This case represents the first instance of monkeypox infection in a domestic animal. The journal stated, "In endemic countries, only wild animals (rodents and primates) have been found to carry monkeypox virus. However, transmission of monkeypox virus in prairie dogs has been described in the USA and in captive primates in Europe that were in contact with imported infected animals."
According to officials, to prevent the spread of the virus, people infected with monkeypox should isolate themselves from their pets. World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a worldwide crisis. This year, monkeypox has been detected in over 100 different nations, and the disease has been responsible for 12 fatalities.
Intimate and direct encounters can result in the transmission of the monkeypox virus, including coming into contact with the rashes, zits, or bodily fluids of an infected individual, as well as touching their clothing or other items. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is also transmitted through sexual intercourse, hugging, kissing, lengthy face-to-face encounter, or using materials or devices used in sex by an individual who has monkeypox. On its website, the CDCP said, "It’s also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal."