# Poxviruses in dogs and cats: a genuine threat?

## TL;DR

This study investigated whether dogs and cats could be infected with poxviruses during the Mpox outbreak but found no evidence of such infections in pets.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the absence of poxvirus circulation in dogs and cats during the Mpox pandemic.

## Key findings

- A pan-pox PCR assay was applied to blood samples from 608 dogs and 271 cats.
- No molecular evidence of poxvirus infection was detected in the studied population.
- The findings suggest that dogs and cats may not be reservoirs for poxviruses in this context.

## Abstract

During the global Mpox outbreak, the potential role of dogs and cats in the epidemiological chain of monkeypox virus was suspected. Additionally, Brazil is endemic for vaccinia virus and the recently described Brazilian porcupinepox virus, both of which require further investigation regarding their potential reservoirs. Given that dogs and cats are among the most popular pets worldwide and that poxvirus infections could impact multispecies households, this study aimed to assess the circulation of poxviruses in pets during the Mpox pandemic. A pan-pox polymerase chain reaction assay was applied to blood samples from 608 dogs and 271 cats. Despite the potential for detecting poxviruses in companion animals, no molecular evidence of poxvirus infection was found in the studied population.