Experts say that at this time there is no requirement to develop a dedicated vaccine against monkeypox for animals. The statement comes from Alexander Semenov, a Doctor of Biological Sciences who leads the Ekaterinburg Viral Infections Research Institute, part of the SSC VB Vector under Rospotrebnadzor. The official update was reported by TASS and has since been echoed by several health authorities.
Semenov highlights that the majority of animals affected by monkeypox experience mild symptoms or show no obvious signs at all. In practical terms, many species handle the virus quite well compared to humans, where the illness can be more severe. This observation underpins the current stance that a specific animal vaccine is not deemed necessary for most species, given the typically minor clinical manifestations observed in animals.
In the interview, the biosciences expert notes that there have already been instances of transmission from humans to animals. One documented case occurred in France, where a pet dog developed mucocutaneous lesions after exposure to an infected owner. This example serves as a reminder that zoonotic transmission, while not common, is possible and warrants ongoing surveillance among animal handlers and pet owners alike.
The broader context includes reported instances where humans acquire monkeypox through close contact in social settings. For instance, there have been reports of a person contracting the virus after attendance at a social event in the United States. These cases underscore the importance of awareness and precautions in environments where close contact occurs, even though animal vaccination is not currently prioritized on a wide scale.