NEW YORK — 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 have the advice for several months as monkeypox continues to spread in the U.S. It gained attention again after a French report published last week by Lancet about an Italian grayhound who was infected with the virus.
The dog belonged to a couple that said they sleep with the animal. After having sex, the two men contracted monkeypox and developed lesions. The greyhound later developed lesions and was diagnosed with the virus.
Monkeypox infections have been detected in rodents and other wild animals, which can spread the virus to humans. But the authors called it the first report of monkeypox infection in a domesticated animal like a dog or cat.
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.
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