Mpox (Monkeypox)

No. The name comes from the fact that the MPXV was first discovered in a non-human primate, a macaque, in a zoo in Copenhagen in the late 1950s. Monkeys, like humans, are accidental hosts.

In endemic areas MPXV is mainly transmitted from infected animals to humans, and to other susceptible animals via bites and scratches from an infected animal, or by close contact with infected fluids. The handling of infected carcasses or raw meat is also believed to be a source of infection. In the EU/EEA such transmission pattern has not been recorded.

So far in the EU/EEA the majority of reported cases have been among men who have sex with men and transmission is thought to occur during sexual contact.

The virus spreads from person to person through close contact with the infectious material from skin or oral lesions, through respiratory droplets in prolonged face-to-face contact, and through contaminated objects. For more information on the number of human cases please check here.

Detection of the MPXV or antibodies has been shown in a broad range of species, including non-human primates, opossums, different types of African squirrels and rats, dormice, African bush-tailed porcupine, and African hedgehog, among others. Other species found susceptible to the infection, which are more likely to be used as pets, are rabbits, hares, prairie dogs, and pet rodents.

No, not all susceptible animals show clinical signs. Several non-human primates show clinical signs when infected. Other species where clinical signs have been seen are, for example, different type of squirrels, prairie dogs and rabbits. The severity of the clinical signs varies with species but in general they show symptoms such as fever, lethargy and skin rashes and vesicles on the body and face and sometimes death.

Although no active surveillance for MPXV is currently ongoing in the EU/EEA, to date no cases in animals have been reported and there are no reports where humans have been infected by an animal in the current outbreak. The epidemiological enquires conducted so far have not linked the current EU/EEA outbreak to animals.

Before the outbreak, in the EU, a decision from the European Commission was already in place to address risks arising from Mpox from imported animals by providing protection measures regarding MPXV.  Under this decision Member States shall prohibit the importation of rodents of non-domestic species and squirrels originating in or coming from third countries of the African sub-Saharan region and the USA.

Transmission from humans to animals has not been documented in the literature. However, this does not mean that transmission from humans to animals is not possible.

For this reason, if you are infected with MPXV the current advice is to apply common precautionary measures such as avoiding contact with your animal during the isolation period. Front-line veterinary care (veterinary clinics and hospitals) should be cautious when dealing with pets that live in a household with people who are infected and should remain alert.

If you are affected by Mpox, and you suspect your pet shows compatible clinical signs, you should inform your veterinary practitioner/clinic. If needed, they will alert the relevant authorities in your country and advise on the measures to take.

Since the disease is a zoonosis, close collaboration between human and veterinary public health authorities is needed to manage exposed pets and prevent the disease from being transmitted to animals.

In the event of a suspected or confirmed case in an animal, the Member State concerned should take the necessary precautions and measures according to relevant veterinary legislation.