Experts warn monkey chickenpox can become ‘permanent’ if you get PETS
Experts warn that monkey pox may become permanent in Europe once pets start getting it too.
There have been no reports of monkey pox in pets yet, but in a quick risk assessment on Monday, the European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) said it was important to “manage exposed pets and prevent disease transmission to wild animals”. said.
In announcing the update, the ECDC said: “If human-to-animal transmission occurs and the virus spreads through animal populations, there is a risk that the disease will become endemic in Europe.
“Rodents, particularly species of the family Sciuridae, are more likely to be suitable hosts than humans, and could theoretically be transmitted from humans to (pets) animals.
“These spills could potentially allow the virus to settle in European wildlife and make the disease endemic. The likelihood of this leak is very low.”
Professor David Robertson of the Glasgow Center for Virus Research told The Telegraph that this is “a valid concern.”
“It seems prudent to monitor all animals/pets that come into contact with infected people,” he said.
Experts believe that rodents such as mice and squirrels may harbor the virus, but the full range of animals at risk is still unknown.
