Monkeypox can spread to pet dogs, doctors report

Health officials are warning people who are infected with monkeypox to stay away from household pets, since the animals could be at risk of catching the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] for months has had the advice in place as monkeypox spreads in the U.S. But, it gained new attention after a report from France, published last week in the medical journal Lancet, about an Italian greyhound that caught the virus. The dog belongs to a couple who said they sleep alongside the animal. The greyhound later developed lesions and was diagnosed with the virus.
Jeff Doty, Disease Ecologist, Centers for Disease Control said "You know, reducing contact the animal to necessary things such as providing food and water. We would obviously recommend that people don't sleep with their animals if they have monkeypox. And, reducing other types of close contact, such as hugging, snuggling, kissing and licking and that kind of thing." Pets that come in close contact with a symptomatic person should be kept at home and away from other animals and people for 21 days after the most recent contact, the CDC advises.