Pets suspected of having monkeypox should be isolated, CDC says

Besides dogs, other animals such as squirrels, groundhogs and chinchillas are also vulnerable to the monkeypox virus. — Dreamstime/TNS

Pets exposed to people with monkeypox should be isolated to ensure they don’t spread the virus to other people or animals, US health officials said after a dog was reported to be infected with the virus in Paris.

Because monkeypox can spread through close contact with an infectious person, people who have tested positive should be careful when cuddling or petting animals, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance issued Friday (Aug 12).