Pet hamsters belonging to monkeypox patients should be isolated or killed, say health chiefs

Authored by telegraph.co.uk and submitted by fastclickertoggle
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Pet hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs belonging to monkeypox patients should “ideally be isolated” in government laboratories, according to European health authorities.

In a worst case scenario where monitored isolation and regular testing is unfeasible, the agency suggested a cull should be considered as “a last resort” to prevent the disease gaining a permanent foothold in the region.

So far, 90 cases have been detected across the UK since the virus was first identified in England in early May - including 12 on Thursday - while 344 suspected or confirmed cases have been reported in more than 20 countries worldwide.

In guidance published this week, the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) urged both those infected with monkeypox and their close contacts to avoid their pets, amid fears the virus could become endemic across the continent if it makes the jump to animals.

Pet rodents – including hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and mice – are considered most at risk, as they are known to be susceptible to the disease.

“Rodent pets should ideally be isolated in monitored facilities, complying with respiratory isolation (e.g. a laboratory) and animal welfare conditions (e.g. government facilities, kennels or animal welfare organisations), and tested (by PCR) for exposure before quarantine ends,” the ECDC said.

“Euthanasia should only be a last resort reserved to situations where testing and/or isolation are not feasible,” experts added. When Covid-19 jumped to mink in Denmark, millions were culled to prevent the spread of Sars-Cov-2.

not_brittsuzanne on May 27th, 2022 at 02:28 UTC »

I’d like to see the Venn Diagram of people with Monkeypox who also own hamsters.

NotAPoshTwat on May 27th, 2022 at 02:27 UTC »

I gotta say that's a great picture choice

DJFreezyFish on May 27th, 2022 at 02:20 UTC »

Are people not isolating their hamsters within their household?