Herpes viruses are a complex family of viruses that can cause a variety of diseases in animals, including humans. When it comes to humans, herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 are the most common forms, causing oral and genital herpes respectively. These viruses are highly adapted to human hosts and are not found naturally in animals.
In contrast, animals have their own herpes viruses, which are usually species specific. For example, feline herpes virus (FHV) affects cats, causing feline viral rhinotracheitis, while canine herpes virus (CHV) affects dogs, causing a range of symptoms from mild respiratory problems to more serious conditions in newborn puppies.
Transmission between species
Human-to-animal transmission
Human-specific herpes viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are not naturally transmitted to pets. These viruses are highly specialized for infecting human cells, meaning the chances of transmitting them to pets are extremely low. There are no documented cases of pets contracting HSV-1 or HSV-2 from their human owners.
Transmission from animals to humans
Likewise, herpes viruses that affect animals generally pose no risk to humans. These viruses are adapted to their specific animal hosts and are not easily transmitted to humans. For example, FHV and CHV cannot infect human cells and therefore cannot cause herpes in humans. Biological barriers between species, including differences in cellular receptors and immune responses, make cross-species transmission of these viruses very unlikely.
Precautions and preconceived ideas
Despite the low risk of transmission between pets and humans, certain precautions should be taken to maintain health and prevent the spread of other zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans).
Regular veterinary care for pets, good hygiene practices and avoiding close contact with animals when they are sick are essential measures. It is also important to dispel misconceptions that can arise from a lack of understanding of how viruses work.
The term “herpes” may cause unnecessary fear due to its association with human herpesviruses. Recognizing that animal herpes viruses are different entities will help avoid unfounded concerns about animal-to-human transmission.