Can domestic cats get Mpox?

Yes, domestic cats can potentially contract Mpox (monkeypox), as it is a zoonosis (zoonotic disease) although it is rare. Transmission would likely occur through close contact with an infected person or animal. It’s important to monitor your pets if you or someone in your household has Mpox, and consult a veterinarian if you have concerns. Keeping pets away from infected individuals is a prudent measure to minimize risk. It is present in Europe but rare at present.

Mpox by Michael Broad

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 A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted from animals to humans and humans to animals. It crosses the human-animal 'barrier'.  Two other well-known zoonoses are: Covid-19 and toxoplasmosis. There are others.

Bovine TB in cats is zoonotic

The virus that gives cats colds (usually the herpes virus) cannot infect humans and humans with colds cannot give the disease to their cats.

Nearly always diseases are specific to cats. Almost all feline diseases cannot be given to humans.

Mpox - monkeypox- is a pretty nasty disease that has killed hundreds of kids in Africa, particularly the Republic of the Congo.

It is present in Europe and the Americas. There are no cases currently (Aug 2024) in the UK. Health officials are on their guard.

Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. This genus also includes other viruses such as variola (which causes smallpox), vaccinia (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox. Monkeypox virus is primarily found in certain animals in Central and West Africa.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.