30 Day Quarantine
If there is a possibility that your pet has been exposed to monkeypox, your pet should be quarantined for 30 days and watched for signs of illness. Exposure may have occurred by contact with an animal infected with monkeypox, or being housed in the same facility (e.g. pet store, home, etc.) as an infected animal.
To quarantine your pet:
- keep the animal away from other animals or people for 30 days
- place the animal alone in a room with a closed door
- one family member should be responsible for pet care, and the others should avoid being near the pet during this time to minimize human exposure
- ask your vet or doctor for advice to protect yourself while caring for your pet (e.g. masks, etc.)
- limit time spent with the pet and do not handle the pet
- wash your hands thoroughly after feeding or otherwise caring for your pet or touching any of his/her belongings
- if your pet develops any signs of illness during quarantine, contact your vet and public health authorities
- if you or anyone you are in close contact with develops fever, aches, fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, or a rash, contact your doctor and public health authorities
- people with weak immune systems (from cancer treatment, immunosuppressive drug therapy, organ transplants, AIDS, etc.) should avoid contact with an exposed pet
What To Do if You Think Your Pet has Monkeypox
If you think a pet has monkeypox, call your local public health department. You will be instructed on what steps to take. If you are directed to take your pet to a vet, you must call the vet and warn them you are bringing in a suspected monkeypox case so they can take proper precautions at the clinic to contain the infection before you arrive. Separate your animal immediately from other animals and your family by placing in in a closed room or garage, ideally in a cage placed inside a cardboard box. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet. Only one family member should go with the pet to minimize human exposure. Afterwards, clean all surfaces in the car that the cage/carrier contacted.
Cleaning Up
If you have had a pet with monkeypox in the house:
- clean all surfaces that the infected pet may have contacted, using a disinfecting household cleaner
- wash all clothing, bedding, etc. that may have come into contact with the pet in hot water (with bleach if possible) and dry on the hottest setting
- thoroughly clean cage and all food dishes and equipment with hot water and soap
- do not throw any of your pet's bedding or litter in the garbage - if contact your public health department for help with disposal
For Exposed People
The CDC is now recommending that individuals who have been exposed to monkeypox, either from infected pets or humans, be given smallpox vaccination. This can be given up to 14 days post exposure (within 4 days of exposure is ideal), and is believed to be about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. More information on post exposure vaccination can be found on the CDC site.
Important
It is extremely important to report any illness that is suspicious in you or your pets, so the investigating agencies can effectively work to contain the outbreak.
However, do not panic, and do not release any pets into the wild. Animals kept as pets should never be released anyway, but if monkeypox finds its way into wild populations it could be devastating.
Links
Centers for Disease Control - Monkeypox - the best up to date information on the outbreak is available here
American Veterinary Medical Association - Monkey Pox Information