“Revised Veterinarian Treatment Guidelines and Companion Animal Management for Mpox in Korea”

2023-04-27 03:12:59

Registration: 2023.04.27 11:56:36 Modification: 2023.04.27 12:02:08
Reporter Lee Hak-beom [email protected]

As the number of patients with Mpox (monkey pox) continues to increase in Korea, the possibility of animal-to-human transmission of Mpox is also growing. Accordingly, some veterinarian treatment guidelines will also be changed.

Companion animals and other animal mfox occurrence status (as of January 4th, source: US CDC)

When the first Mpox (monkeypox) patient occurred in Korea in June of last year, the government produced and announced the ‘Guidelines for managing companion animals related to monkeypox and guidelines for veterinarian treatment’.

At the time, the guidelines stated that there was no case of human-to-animal transmission and no evidence of human-to-animal transmission, but later cases of human-to-animal transmission emerged.

In August of last year, a 4-year-old greyhound raised by a French homosexual couple was reported for the first time in the world to be infected with mfox. It was modified to be an infectious animal.

Accordingly, the domestic guidelines also state, “In addition to animal-to-human transmission, caution is required as there is a possibility of human-to-animal transmission, and various mammals, such as non-human primates (NHP), are susceptible to the Mpox virus. There is” will be included.

The guidelines for veterinarians (guidelines for veterinarians treating mpox) are also partially revised.

First of all, companion animals (dogs, cats, rodents) raised by confirmed Mpox patients must be quarantined at home for 21 days and undergo laboratory tests.

A veterinarian (airborne veterinarian, etc.) periodically checks the quarantined animal and checks the health condition of the companion animal. Visits and phone check-ups are conducted at least once a week, and the first check-up is a visit. If the companion animal has clinical symptoms, the local government requests a detailed examination to the Overseas Infectious Disease Division of the Quarantine Headquarters.

Clinical symptoms that can be seen in companion animals (dogs) infected with Mpox include skin lesions with or without itching, increased body temperature, decreased appetite, depression, decreased energy, dehydration, oral ulcers, facial edema, conjunctivitis or ocular discharge, and respiratory symptoms ( coughing, sneezing, runny nose, shortness of breath, etc.), enlarged lymph nodes, and diarrhea.

If it is difficult to isolate the animal at home, such as a single-person household, the foster care facility prepared in advance by the local government is protected in advance and clinical symptoms are observed, and the cost is borne by the guardian. When moving to a foster care facility, care should be taken so that the animal does not escape midway.

When treating companion animals at front-line veterinary hospitals, it is recommended to ask whether the guardian has been in contact with an Mpox confirmed person within the last 21 days or has been notified as a contact by the public health center.

When treating animals suspected of being infected, minimize contact with staff, wear gowns and gloves during treatment, and wear eye protection glasses if bodily fluids are likely to splash. In addition, it is recommended to wear a mask (N95 or higher) before treatment.

The most common route of transmission of Mpox from animals to humans is direct contact with the secretions of infected animals (rash, crusts, erosion, saliva, respiratory secretions, urine, feces, etc.), stroking, hugging, kissing, licking, Mpox can also be spread from humans to animals through close contact, such as sharing food.

After treatment, the surfaces touched by animals should be cleaned and hands should be washed, and contaminants should be stored and disposed of in a dedicated waste bin. Dispose of as directed by local health authorities.

When cleaning a contaminated place, the diluted concentration and contact time of the disinfectant must be observed. When washing, wash laundry (towels, clothes, etc.) with hot water and detergent, but avoid direct contact with contaminated materials when handling contaminated laundry. do.

Meanwhile, the government plans to make final changes to the guidelines following consulting experts on the ‘MPOX-related companion animal management guidelines and veterinarian treatment guidelines revision bill’.

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