Contagious Ecythma (Orf) Fact Sheet
Cause:
Parapoxvirus
Occurrence in Animals:
Primarily young small ruminants (sheep and goats)
Source of Infection in Animals:
Skin vesicles and scabs
Transmission:
Direct contact with lesions in infected animals, or contact of cuts and abrasions with contaminated objects. The virus can survive in dried scab material for over 12 years.
Observable Signs of Infection:
Animals:
- Restless, nervous, and showing excessive licking on the lips and nostrils, and scratching of the head
- Scabby lesions of this disease are most commonly found on the lips, skin of the face, udder, within the mouth and above the hooves
- Lesions in mouth ? anorexia; Lesions on hoof - lameness
Humans:
- Skin blisters, pustules and scabs
- Swelling and extreme pain in the affected limb
- These lesions usually resolve on their own, but may get secondarily infected with bacteria
Precautions:
- Good personal hygiene
- WASH HANDS after handling animals, particularly those giving birth
- No eating, drinking, smoking, etc., around animals or their environments
- Virus is very resistant to disinfectants and drying. Can persist in the environment for a long time.
- Wear gloves when handling sheep (particularly young sheep) or their contaminated environment.
- Barn clothes and boots can carry parapoxvirus to other areas so change overalls, boot dip, dedicated boots, or disposable boot covers after accessing areas of potentially infectious animals.
Reference:
Additional Information:
Iowa State University-Contagious Ecthyma (pdf)