Health Officials Urge Caution as Mpox Raises Concerns for Pets and Wildlife Transmission

Recent discussions surrounding mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) have heightened concerns regarding its transmission dynamics, particularly the potential for the virus to leap from humans to pets and ultimately to wildlife. While mpox is primarily a zoonotic disease endemic to certain regions in Africa, health authorities around the globe are taking proactive measures to mitigate any risks of a broader outbreak. Mpox is a virus that typically spreads from animals to humans through sporadic contact in the bush, particularly in African nations where it remains endemic. However, as cases of human transmission have been recorded in non-endemic countries, questions have arisen about the possibility of reversing this cycle, allowing the virus to infect domestic animals and potentially establish itself outside its original habitat. Although this risk is deemed theoretical, it is one that health officials are not willing to dismiss lightly. In several countries, including the United States and France, health authorities have recommended stringent precautions for individuals diagnosed with mpox. Those infected are advised to minimize contact with their pets and, if possible, to isolate their animals away from their living spaces. In France, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) has issued specific guidelines that require individuals to wash their hands before interacting with pets, wear gloves, and use single-use masks. Florence Etoré, head of ANSES’s animal welfare unit, emphasized that these measures are rooted in hygiene protocols reminiscent of those established during the Covid-19 pandemic. The motivation behind these precautions stems from a desire to prevent any potential spread of the virus from domestic animals to wildlife, which would significantly complicate efforts to control and eradicate the disease. If mpox were to become established in more temperate zones, the ramifications could be dire, as eradicating a disease that has found a new ecological niche is notoriously challenging. The successful eradication of smallpox, for instance, was achieved only because it was exclusively transmitted between humans. Current evidence regarding the transmission of mpox to pets is limited but has raised eyebrows among researchers. For instance, in June 2022, a case study from the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in Paris documented a transmission event where the virus was found in a dog belonging to a male couple with confirmed mpox infections. The dog's skin lesions contained a strain of the virus identical to that found in one of the patients. However, it is crucial to note that while the dog may have carried the virus, it did not exhibit any symptoms of illness. Subsequent analyses by ANSES suggested that pets might carry the virus for a short duration without necessarily falling ill, indicating a low-intensity, limited-duration “skin carriage” of the virus. Another similar incident was reported in Brazil in August 2022, further underscoring the need for vigilance. As authorities continue to navigate the complexities of mpox transmission, they are focused on preventing any establishment of the virus in domestic or wild animal populations beyond its current endemic regions. While the immediate risk of mpox developing an animal base outside of Africa remains limited, the caution exercised by health authorities serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of human and animal health. As efforts continue to monitor and control the virus, the importance of hygiene and preventive measures cannot be overstated. The lessons learned from both mpox and the Covid-19 pandemic highlight the necessity for robust public health strategies to manage zoonotic diseases and protect both human and animal populations.