Veterinary Preventive Medicine-II

SYNONYMS AND INTRODUCTION

Synonyms : Ovine pox, Variola ovina

Introduction

• Sheep pox is a contagious pox disease of sheep caused by sheep pox virus and characterized by febrile condition and generalized development of pock lesions in the areas denied of wool.
• It is considered as one of the most dangerous pox virus infections among animals. This disease also affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.
• Sheep pox virus is a DNA virus belonging to the family Poxviridae, sub family chorodopox virinae, genus Capripox.
• The disease is prevalent in many areas of Middle East countries, Africa, Asia and Mediterranean countries. The disease is widely prevalent in different parts of India.
• The sheep are the naturally susceptible host to this virus. Young sheep are more susceptible than older ones.
• In the young lambs the disease may flare up in an epidemic proportion.
• Transmission takes place due to direct contact of the infected animals with the healthy one.
• Droplet infection through nasal inhalation is an important way of disease transmission.
• Wounds and abrasion of the skin augment spread from one animal to other.
• Dog, cat, bird and animal handlers may mechanically transport the infective materials from one place to other.
• The scabs contain the virus and the virus may remain active on the wool or infected pens for as long as 6 months.
• On inhalation the virus enters the lungs. Transplacental transmission from ewe to the foetus results in the birth of lambs with pox eruptions.