Monkeypox can spread to children and pets. How susceptible are they to infection?
The World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, the agency announced over the weekend.
There have been 2,891 monkeypox cases reported in the U.S., according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As many as 27 confirmed monkeypox cases have been identified in North Carolina, according to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Nearly half of those cases have been confirmed in Mecklenburg County, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“For the moment this is an outbreak that’s concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those who have multiple partners,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said. “That means that this is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups.”
As the disease continues to spread, some may be worried about the likelihood of it affecting their children or pets. Here’s what you need to know.
Can children get monkeypox?
Two cases of monkeypox have been identified in children, the CDC announced.
One case involved a California toddler, and the other an infant who is not a U.S. resident, CNN reported. Both children have symptoms but are in good health and receiving treatment.
Though most people that have been diagnosed with monkeypox are men who have sex with men, anyone can catch the virus through skin-to-skin contact, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of monkeypox include:
Fever
Headache
Muscle or backaches
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
A rash that looks like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, in the mouth, or on other parts of the body
The disease has a survival rate of more than 99%, but children under 8 years of age may be more likely to get seriously ill or die, according to the CDC.
To prevent the virus from spreading, the CDC recommends avoiding close contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox. It is also recommended that people frequently wash their hands with soap and water.
Can pets get monkeypox?
Monkeypox is zoonotic, which means it can spread between animals and people, according to the CDC. However, the agency does not believe the virus poses a high risk to pets but is monitoring the situation closely.
According to the CDC, possible signs of monkeypox in animals include:
Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Coughing
Bloating
Nasal or eye secretions
Fever
Pox-like skin lesions
If you suspect your pet has monkeypox, you should contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment for them to get tested. If they test positive, you should separate them from people and other animals for at least 21 days, according to the CDC.
The CDC recommends that people who test positive for monkeypox avoid interacting with animals and find someone else to take care of their pets while they recover.
