Fear of the is growing monkeypox: The European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) has urged infected people, along with close close contacts that are closely monitored, to keep their pets away. The fear of experts is that the virus could become endemic across the continent by passing from humans to other species of animals. The Telegraph writes it according to which «European health authorities, hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs belonging to monkeypox patients should “ideally be isolated” in government laboratories».
Interesting update from @sneweyy re #monkeypox: rodents are more susceptible to the virus and could contribute to it becoming endemic in Europe. If you catch it, isolate your pet hamsters/rabbits/mice – or they may be destroyed https://t.co/arXLxI0GeJ @TelGlobalHealth
— Kerry McQueeney???? (@KerryMcQueeney) May 26, 2022
Monkey pox, animals at risk. The warning: “The virus could also spread with caresses”
The strategy for keeping the virus under control
Not only that: in the worst case, and that is when monitored isolation and regular tests cannot be carried out «the agency suggested culling should be seen as a last resort to prevent the disease from taking hold». So far 344 suspected or confirmed cases have been reported in more than 20 countries around the world. In the guidelines published in recent days, domestic rodents, including hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and mice, are considered animals most at risk of contagion, as they are known to be susceptible to the disease.
«Rodent pets should ideally be isolated in monitored facilities, respecting respiratory isolation (e.g. a laboratory) and animal welfare conditions (e.g. government facilities, kennels or animal welfare organizations) and tested (by Pcr) for exposure before the end of the quarantine», recommended the ECDC. Specifying that anthat other animals, including cats and dogs, should be kept indoors, but can simply be isolated indoors as the risks of contracting the virus are lower.