Background

Sheep pox (SPP) and goatpox (GTP) are highly infectious viral dis eases of sheep and goats caused by sheep pox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GTPV), respectively. Both the virus are grouped with the genus Capripoxvirus belonging to the family Poxviridae. The sheep and goatpox virus is highly contagious. The virus is transmitted through aerosol with contact with infected animals. The disease also spread through vectors like Stomoxys calcitrans and tsetse fly. In the oral and nasal secretions, the virus can survive for several weeks and several months in the scabs of animals. The spread of the virus can also occur through contact with contaminated materials. Both sheep and goatpox shows similar clinical symptoms. The incubation period for both the disease is 4-15 days. The symptoms in sheep pox are either malignant or benign The malignant forms of symptoms are usually found in lamb, and the lamb may die without showing any sheep pox symptoms. Other symptoms include fever at 40-42°C occulonasal discharge, dyspnea, and lesions on the skin. In benign sheep pox, only lesions on the skin occur under the tail and mostly affects adults. In this pox, the animal recovers in 3-4 weeks. The mortality in young maybe 100%, but overall, flock mortality is 50% Sheep and goatpox are widespread in Africa, central Asia, and the Middle Eastern countries. Capripoxvirus is widely distributed in the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey In India, the goatpox outbreak was first reported in 1936 Later it was reported from different states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and West Bengal. However, sheep pox was reported from Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, and Mysore. The disease persists in India, despite the presence of efficient vaccines. Diseased animals are treated with antibiotics to avoid secondary infection. The other method to control the disease is vaccination with commercially avail able vaccines. The live attenuated vaccines are used as a significant agent to control sheep and goatpox in the endemic region. When annual vaccination coverage is 75%, it provides excellent protection and can control outbreaks. According to FAO Regional Animal Disease Surveillance and Control Network for SPP eradication program, the SPP reduction and outbreak are controlled when the vaccine coverage is between 75 to 90%. As this vaccine immunity is not long-lasting and killed vaccines are not efficient in field condition.

Cause

A virus disease caused by Capripoxvirus

Host Species

Cattle and Sheep

• Contact: Close contact between infected and healthy animals
• Aerosol: The animal acquires aerosol infection via the respiratory tract in the flock
• The spread of the disease is also possible from contact with contaminated materials and through skin abrasions produced iatrogenically or by insects.
• The disease has been shown to transmit by the bites of Stomoxys calcitrans & the tsetse fly.

• Typical pox lesions develops as papules, then become nodular, occasionally become vesicular, pustular and finally scab.
• Young kids show the systemic signs like high rise of temperature, severe depression, weakness and exhaustion.
• The pox lesions spread generally over the skin, and on the respiratory and alimentary mucosae.
• Adult goats may also show the systemic signs and extensive lesions but the disease is usually mild and lesions on skin, the buccal, respiratory, digestive, and urogenital tract mucosae are less severe.

No specific treatment is there for goatpox. Only following supportive treatment will help.

• Good nursing is essential.
• Sick animals should be isolated and kept in clean, well ventilated pens and palatable food on high plain of nutrition.
• Fluid and electrolyte therapy may be required if animal is unable to take food.
• Antibiotic is prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
• Eyes and nostrils should be washed with 2% boric acid and 1:10,000 potassium permanganate solution, respectively.
• Antiseptic, spray, ointment or powder is to be applied topically on scab or ulcerated lesions.
• Contact veterinary doctors for further treatment.

Preventive measures

• If culling is not possible, the infected herds/sick animals are isolated for recovery.
• Proper disposal of cadavers and products-burning or burial is often used.
• Stringent cleaning and disinfection of farms and equipmente's undertaken.
• Quarantine of new animals before introduction into herds
• Control of animal and vehicle movement within infected areas
• Vaccination may be considered when the disease has spread more widely

Control

Regular vaccination is the only effective way to control the disease.

Type of vaccines

Live attenuated cell culture goatpox virus vaccine

Vaccination schedule

The vaccination against goatpox is recommended to sheep and goat at the age of 3-4 months of age and yearly vaccination.

Dose

1mL S/C route or following manufacturer's instructions

Note: Deworming is must at least 15 days before vaccination.

Source/manufacturer of vaccine in India

Hester Bioscience Ltd., Ahmedabad (Gujrat)

Institute of Veterinary Biologicals, Bangalore (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Telangana)