Monkeypox in Animals

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can spread between animals and people, and is caused by Monkeypox virus, an Orthopoxvirus. While the animal reservoir is unknown, small mammals (rope and sun squirrels, giant-pouched rats, African dormice) are thought to maintain the virus in the environments of West and Central Africa. People can get infected with the virus through direct contact with infected animals, often while hunting, trapping, and processing infected animals or the infected body parts and fluids of animals. Small mammals can carry the virus, sometimes without apparent symptoms, while non-human primates can get sick with monkeypox and have signs of disease like humans. In 2003, an outbreak of monkeypox in domesticated prairie dogs occurred after they shared bedding and caging with a shipment of infected small mammals from West Africa. This led to 47 human cases in 6 states in the United States. Instances of animal-to-animal and animal-to-person spread, such as the 2003 outbreak, demonstrate the need to reduce the risk of secondary infections to and from animals by isolating infected people as well as exposed and infected animals.
What we know about monkeypox in animals
- Monkeypox virus can infect a wide range of mammal species, including monkeys, anteaters, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, squirrels, and shrews.
- We are still learning which species of animals can get monkeypox. While we do not know if reptiles, amphibians, or birds can get monkeypox, it is unlikely since these animals have not been found to be infected with other orthopoxviruses.
- Not all animals may have a rash when they have monkeypox.
- There are no reports of sick people transmitting Monkeypox virus to animals.
- Infected animals can spread Monkeypox virus to people, and it is possible that people who are infected can spread Monkeypox virus to animals through close contact, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food.
- Monkeypox virus can be found in the rash caused by monkeypox (scabs, crusts, fluids) and infected bodily fluids, including respiratory secretions, and potentially in urine and feces.
Monkeypox in pets and other animals
We are still learning about which mammals are susceptible to infection. We should assume any mammal can be infected with Monkeypox virus. The table shows which animals can be infected with Monkeypox virus or other closely related orthopoxviruses.
Type of rodents
Type of rodents
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Prairie dogs
Prairie dogs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Squirrels
Squirrels
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Marmots and groundhogs
Marmots and groundhogs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Chinchillas
Chinchillas
Yes
Yes
Unknown
Unknown
Giant-pouched rats
Giant-pouched rats
Yes
Yes
Unknown
Unknown
Gerbils
Gerbils
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Guinea pigs
Guinea pigs
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Hamsters
Hamsters
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Mice
Mice
Possibly*
Possibly*
Yes
Yes
Rats
Rats
Possibly*
Possibly*
Yes
Yes
Type of rodents
Prairie dogs
Squirrels
Marmots and groundhogs
Chinchillas
Giant-pouched rats
Gerbils
Guinea pigs
Hamsters
Mice
Rats
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Possibly*
Possibly*
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Type of carnivores
Type of carnivores
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Dogs
Dogs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Cats
Cats
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Type of carnivores
Dogs
Cats
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Yes
Unknown
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Yes
Yes
Type of lagomorphs
Type of lagomorphs
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Domestic rabbits
Domestic rabbits
Adults: possibly*
Adults: possibly*
Yes
Yes
Type of lagomorphs
Domestic rabbits
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Adults: possibly*
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Yes
Type of insectivores
Type of insectivores
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs
Yes
Yes
Unknown
Unknown
Shrews
Shrews
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Type of insectivores
Hedgehogs
Shrews
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Yes
Yes
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Unknown
Yes
Type of non-human primates
Type of non-human primates
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Monkeys
Monkeys
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Apes
Apes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Type of non-human primates
Monkeys
Apes
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Yes
Yes
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Yes
Yes
Type of domestic and farm animals
Type of domestic and farm animals
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Cows
Cows
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Camels
Camels
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Goats
Goats
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Sheep
Sheep
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Pigs
Pigs
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Type of domestic and farm animals
Cows
Camels
Goats
Sheep
Pigs
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Yes
Yes
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Type of wildlife
Type of wildlife
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Raccoons
Raccoons
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Skunks
Skunks
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Voles
Voles
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Badgers
Badgers
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Coyotes
Coyotes
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Foxes
Foxes
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Yes
Type of wildlife
Raccoons
Skunks
Voles
Badgers
Coyotes
Foxes
Can be infected with monkeypox?
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Can be infected with other orthopoxviruses?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
*Indicates that not all animals of this type are susceptible, this may vary by species, and variety or strain of the animal.