Research and analysis

HAIRS risk assessment: monkeypox

Qualitative assessment of the risk that mammalian pets exposed to monkeypox virus present to the UK population.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 27 May 2022
• Last updated: 30 August 2022 — See all updates

Documents

Qualitative assessment of the risk to the UK human population of monkeypox infection in a canine, feline, mustelid, lagomorph or rodent UK pet

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Details

In May 2022, human-to-human transmission of Monkeypox virus was observed in several non-endemic countries, including the UK.

During a previous monkeypox incident in the UK during 2018, a pet management process had to be swiftly implemented for one affected household, without conducting a risk assessment a priori.

As the numbers of affected households in the UK relating to the May 2022 outbreak have increased, this has warranted a thorough assessment of the risk mammalian pets exposed to monkeypox virus pose to the people with whom they may come into contact.

A PDF version of this risk assessment is available on request from HAIRS@phe.gov.uk

Published 27 May 2022
Last updated 30 August 2022 + show all updates

1. 30 August 2022

   Updated to reflect a change in monkeypox clade nomenclature and to acknowledge reports of human-to-animal transmission of monkeypox virus.

2. 27 May 2022

   First published.