Dr. Barry Rockx and his team at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, the Netherlands, are investigating the potential for rats to serve as reservoirs for the Mpox virus (MPXV). With MPXV being the most prevalent orthopoxviral infection in humans since the eradication of smallpox, understanding its transmission dynamics is crucial, especially given the recent global outbreaks.
Supported by VetBioNet, the team conducted experimental animal studies to assess the susceptibility of rats to MPXV and characterize the disease progression, viral shedding, and transmission potential. Rats were inoculated with an isolate from the 2022/2023 Mpox outbreak and monitored for clinical signs, weight changes, and viral presence through various samples.
The results showed that while rats were susceptible to MPXV infection, they did not exhibit overt clinical signs. Viral genome detection in respiratory tissues and skin at the site of inoculation suggests the potential for transmission to and from rats, highlighting the importance of monitoring these animals as possible reservoirs outside endemic regions.
ISIDORe’s support has been crucial in advancing this research, providing insights into the host range of MPXV and aiding in the development of strategies to prevent new animal reservoirs from emerging. This study underscores the need for continued vigilance and research in understanding and mitigating the spread of zoonotic diseases.