There is a significant liklihood that someone infected with Monkey Pox (MPXv) may come into contact with pet animals   MPXv doesn't spread easily person-to-person but can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or mucous membranes.

It is known that MPXv can infect and/or be carried by many animal species - including those commonly kept as pets in the UK.  Those species at known risk of infection are primates and rodents (includings rats and mice).  Some rodents are less susceptible, including Guinea Pigs, Hamster and Rabbits.

There is little evidence to date that dogs and cats are productively infected with MPXv.

There is no evidence of MPXv curently affecting pets in the UK and human-to-human transmission is likely to be responsible for the burden of disease in people in the UK.  Pets, which have been in contact with an infected owner/infected person may act as a carrier for the virus on their fur - just as the virus can persist in a suitable environment.   Therefore contact with pets that have been in contact with a person with MPXv provide a theoretical risk of disease transmission.

If you are concerned about your pet coming into contact with someone with MPXv, or if you have a pet that requires veterinary attention and has been in contact with a suspected/confirmed case of MPXv then you may find the following links useful. 

YOU MUST TELL OUR STAFF IF YOU HAVE ANY SUSPICIONS THAT YOUR PET HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MPXv