Monkey pox: "Cuddles forbidden" - expert warns of transmission to cats

Created: 05/27/2022, 1:55 p.m

By: Judith Brown

The monkeypox virus is currently occupying researchers and scientists.

An expert is now warning infected people against contact with their favorite pets.

Greifswald – Cases of the monkeypox virus are currently occurring in more and more countries around the world.

Researchers and scientists assume that we do not have to reckon with a new pandemic after the worldwide spread of Corona.

Nevertheless, they advise caution and vigilance with regard to the risk of infection.

Although the virus was transmitted from person to person in the currently confirmed cases, an expert now warns of the contagion between pets and humans.

Monkey pox: "Cuddles forbidden" - expert warns of infection in cats

People infected with the monkeypox virus should avoid cuddling with the cat.

(Iconic image) © Evgenia Sunegina/IMAGO

Unlike the coronavirus, monkeypox is not a new virus.

Therefore, it is already known that the symptoms are similar to those of flu and can therefore easily be confused.

In addition, according to the current state of science, general smallpox vaccination protects against the virus.

Monkeypox is also one of the so-called zoonoses, which are mutually transmitted between animals and humans.

However, the currently confirmed cases were contagion from person to person.

Virologist Prof. Isabella Eckerle now warns that the pathogens also circulate in the animal kingdom.

So there is a risk that they will spread to humans again and again.

Since monkeypox can infect different species, as Eckerle wrote on Twitter, our livestock and pets could also become infected with the virus.

Rats in particular are potential hosts for monkeypox.

But just like the corona virus, Germany’s most popular pet could possibly be susceptible to infection: the cat.

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Can cats get monkeypox?

Although the most recent reported cases of monkeypox virus seem to have been transmitted between men who have sex with other men, transmission between humans and animals could also occur.

"We have to be vigilant - for example with regard to cats," says Dr.

Fabian Leendertz, director of the Helmholtz Institute for One Health in Greifswald and an expert on zoonoses, told the "Spiegel" to be concerned.

Contrary to what the name of the monkeypox virus suggests, rodents are probably the main reservoir.

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It has now been proven that domestic cats can catch the so-called cowpox through contact with voles.

However, it is still unclear whether they can also become infected with monkeypox.

If this were the case, it could become a real problem with 16.7 million cats in German households and numerous strays.

A permanent reservoir could form by spreading the virus.

However, Leendertz currently assumes that there is no reason to worry.

For infected people, however, the following applies: "No cuddling." According to the scientist, you should stay away from your pet.

Spread of monkeypox: Expert urges calm

In general, however, experts give the all-clear regarding the spread of the monkeypox virus.

Prof. Martin Beer, head of the Institute for Virus Diagnostics at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) in Greifswald, urges calm, according to the "Spiegel", because monkeypox does not spread as easily as the corona virus.

"Very close contact" is needed to infect relatives or pets.

In addition, there is still no evidence that these animals can be infected at all.

In order to reduce the risk of transmission, he recommends, like Leendertz, that infected people avoid contact with people and animals and observe hygiene measures.

Prof. Gerd Sutter, virologist at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, does not expect a new pandemic either.

At the same time, however, he warns of future scenarios.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.