Emerging Infectious Diseases (May 2009)

Cowpox Virus Transmission from Pet Rats to Humans, France

  • Laetitia Ninove,
  • Yves Domart,
  • Christine Vervel,
  • Chrystel Voinot,
  • Nicolas Salez,
  • Didier Raoult,
  • Hermann Meyer,
  • Isabelle Capek,
  • Christine Zandotti,
  • Remi N. Charrel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1505.090235
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 5
pp. 781 – 784

Abstract

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In early 2009, four human cases of cowpox virus cutaneous infection in northern France, resulting from direct contact with infected pet rats (Rattus norvegicus), were studied. Pet rats, originating from the same pet store, were shown to be infected by a unique virus strain. Infection was then transmitted to humans who purchased or had contact with pet rats.

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