The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified the monkeypox outbreak as an “emergency of international concern”. Because while the virus was largely limited to Africa in the past, more and more people around the world are now falling ill with the mostly mild zoonosis.
“Monkeypox is actually transmitted from rodents to humans or through sexual contact,” says Katharina Reitl, describing the chain of infection. The KURIER animal coach explains how likely it is that four-legged friends and owners are infected and why the related cowpox is more relevant for cats in this country.
Monkeypox is currently not an issue for domestic pets
“It is questionable whether there are any species in Europe that might be considered a suitable reservoir for monkeypox,” the federal research institute responsible for animal health in Germany stated recently. Rodents are the natural hosts of the virus, so retransmission to small domestic animals is possible; other pet species may also be susceptible. So far there are no case studies. “Only rabbits might be experimentally shown to contract monkeypox,” the German experts state and advise: “As far as possible, pets should be excluded from the immediate vicinity of sick people.”
risk of infection
For the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, the focus is on the well-being of people when it comes to the monkeypox virus. AGES lists the greatest risks of infection that come from pets: bites, secretions, droplets, urine and faeces, as well as the smallpox itself and skin crusts that fall off.
In Austria, cowpox occasionally affects free-roaming cats
“Monkeypox is hardly an issue for our pets. Cowpox, on the other hand, occurs every now and then,” says Zoodoc Reitl from the Ordination Tiergarten Schönbrunn. Cowpox, like monkeypox, belongs to the orthopoxvirus group. Cats are primarily infected in the country – when they capture infected mice or when they find dead small animals in the hay. There is no therapy; However, medication can reduce pain and inflammation. After two weeks, the symptoms subside without any action.
Observe hygiene measures
“Cowpox transmission from cat to human and from cat to dog has been described. In practice, this is extremely rare,” the veterinarian reassured. It is important to comply with hygiene measures, not to doctor pustules on your own, to only attack open wounds with rubber gloves and to protect immunocompromised people in the same household. The KURIER animal coach concludes: “Whether it’s cowpox or monkeypox: When dealing with patients, it’s best to turn on your brain and follow the simple hygiene measures for dealing with wounds.”
Problems with the cat, worries regarding the dog, questions regarding parakeets, turtles, etc.? Write to: tiercoach@kurier.at