SE0572: Developing capability for detection of Monkeypox exposure in animals - SE0572

Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic viral disease clinically similar to smallpox, although less severe. The disease is caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) which is predominantly found in west and central Africa. Monkeypox virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, that is occasionally transmitted to humans from animal host (reservoir) species, including rope squirrels, tree squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice, non-human primates and other species.There are two distinct genetic clades of the MPXV: the central African (Congo Basin) clade and the west African clade. The current MPX outbreak is caused by the west African clade, which historically causes a less severe form of disease than the Congo Basin clade with disease symptoms/clinical signs usually lasting between 2 to 4 weeks with case fatality ratio around 1'Äì3%. Monkeypox is a disease of global public health importance as it not only affects countries in west and central Africa, but the rest of the world. In 2003, the first monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa was in the United States of America and was linked to contact with infected pet prairie dogs. These pets had been housed with Gambian pouched rats and dormice that had been imported into the country from Ghana. This outbreak led to over 70 cases of monkeypox in the U.S.A. Monkeypox has also been reported in travelers from Nigeria to Israel in September 2018, to the United Kingdom in September 2018, December 2019 and May 2021. In 2022, MPX has been reported in 13 non-endemic countries, including Australia, North America, Europe and United Kingdom (over 100 cases) to date. The spread of MPXV between different semi-wild animal species and subsequent transmission to humans was documented in North America in 2003, where imported animals infected with MPX were housed with semi-wild animals which later developed signs of MPXV infection after being sold. Consequently, 47 confirmed and probable animal to human cases (no human to human transmission cases) were reported (HAIRS 14). Human to human transmission may occur through contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) used by an infected person, direct contact with MPX skin lesions or scabs, or through respiratory droplets when an infected person with a MPX rash coughs or sneezes (HAIRS 13). Although animal to human and human to human transmission of MPXV is known and has been documented a number of times, human to animal transmission is poorly understood. During MPX outbreaks there is a low but potential risk of transmission to companion/pet animals from MPXV infected humans when housed together in close proximity. Infected pets pose a threat to the continual spread of virus and disease especially when the animals are subclinical and/or are not diagnosed. If companion animals were to be infected there is a possibility that virus may be transmitted to susceptible wildlife species, with rodents being the most likely scenario. This project will be used to develop APHA's and the UK's preparedness to test suspect animals, including companion/pet animals, to confirm the presence of virus in cases of known or probable exposure and/or absence of infection post isolation/quarantine restriction periods. The project will also be used to develop tools to study MPXV pathogenicity in companion and wild animals, building validated capability and capacity.