How to Prevent Monkeypox According to Wiki

Some years 800 small mammals of varied species from Ghana was imported to Texas on April 9 2003, including six genera of African rodents. Placed nearby was a shipment of prairie dogs leaving Texas to be sold as pets in Illinois. In June of 2003, the first reported cause of monkey-pox in a human living in the U.S. was reported.

Steps

1. Know how monkey-pox is spread to humans:
   • Being bitten by an animal infected with the disease.
   • Coming into contact with the body fluids of an infected animal.
   • Contact with the respiratory droplets of an infected animal (i.e., changing bedding material or holding the animal close to the face).

2. Be aware that there is very little information that allows one to exclude animals that may not contract monkey pox. Therefore it should be presumed that any mammal, including common household pets, could get monkey pox if exposed to the disease. 

3. Know what to look for if you own an animal infected with monkey pox. Symptoms include: 
   • Fatigued and inattentive.
   • Reluctant to eat or drink.
   • Feverish.
   • Coughing.
   • A discharge from the eyes.
   • Swollen lymph nodes.
   • A blister-like rash.

4. Know what to do if your pet is infected with monkey pox.

   • Remove the infected animal from the vicinity of humans and animals immediately. Put the animal in a box or cage and place it in an area where contact with the animal is at a minimum, such as a garage or outdoor shed.
   • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after any contact with the animal or any object that could be contaminated.
   • Wash all clothing in hot water and soap. Adding chlorine bleach during washing can supply an added degree of precaution. Wash your hands after coming into contact with soiled clothing.
   • Contact your state or local health department. Advise them that you suspect you have a pet with monkey pox. They may pick up the animal, or tell you to take the animal to a veterinarian.

5. Know what you should not do if your pet is infected:

   • Do not take your pet to a vet without first calling the office and advising the staff that you suspect they may be dealing with a case of monkey pox.
   • Do not release the infected animal into the wild.
   • Do not take the infected animal to a shelter or rescue center.
   • Do not dispose of contaminated bedding material, cage, toys, or food and water bowls with household trash, in a dump, or in a landfill. Contact your local health department, they will provide for disposal of the contaminated items.

6. See your health care provider as soon as possible if you suspect you have come into contact with the monkey pox virus.

7. Understand that there is no test to determine if a live animal has monkey pox. Signs and symptoms of the illness, and any information as to where the animal originally came from, are the determining factors in a living animal.