First Ever Detection of 'Human to Dog Transmission' of Monkeypox Reported in Paris

A human to dog transmission of the monkeypox virus has been reported in Paris, France, making it the first potential case of zoonotic transmission where humans pass the pathogen to animals, instead of the other way around, according to a new study.

The monkeypox outbreak has emerged as a growing threat since early May amid a world still adjusting to the disruptive onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. Affecting dozens of countries and infecting thousands of people, monkeypox has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

Human to Dog Transmission

The first potential case of human to dog transmission was published in the The Lancet on August 10. Researchers identify two men engaged in a non-exclusive relationship and had sex with other men who rushed to the hospital due to rashes in different parts of their bodies, including areas near the anus.

The study also analyzed their pet dog, a 4-year-old Italian greyhound, who also showed signs of the monkeypox symptoms, including lesions, 12 days after its owners exhibited the said conditions.

Initial investigation suggests the two men allowed their pet to sleep with them on their bed.

Latest Monkeypox Cases

There are 38,019 total confirmed cases and 12 total deaths related to the monkeypox global outbreak as of 5:00 p.m. EDT (local time) on Tuesday, August 16, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The data is based on the CDC's 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak Global Map, which outlines that cases have been reported in 93 countries, including 86 where there is no historical record of monkeypox and seven countries with a previous related monkeypox case.

Amongst the nations with the highest number of monkeypox infections, the United States is leading with 12,688 cases. The US is followed by Spain with 5,719, Germany with 3,186, United Kingdom with 3,081, Brazil with 2,893, France with 2,673, and Canada with 1,076 cases.

Based on the given figure, the global monkeypox outbreak is centered in the heart of Europe and the US.

Monkeypox Transmission and Virus

The WHO in May stated monkeypox can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, as well as any material contaminated with the monkeypox virus. By medium, the virus can spread from one person to another through body fluids, lesions, and respiratory droplets.

The WHO adds monkeypox is relatively less fatal compared to smallpox, which was declared eradicated globally in 1980. The mentioned monkeypox symptoms earlier can lead to a variety of health complications and even death.

The monkeypox virus (viral zoonosis) or monkeypox disease (zoonotic disease) refers to the transmission of the said pathogenic condition from animals to humans. While the main origin of monkeypox remains a mystery, scientists have linked it to several lab monkeys kept for research in Denmark back in 1958. Since then, the virus was attributed likely to rodents.

In addition, the international health body states monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus called the poxvirus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus and Poxviridae family.