An introduction to Sheep Pox, includes etiology, signs and syptoms of this viral disease.

2. Sheep Pox
By
Numan Sharif

3. Introduction
– Viral disease
– Sheep pox is an acute to chronic disease of Sheep
– characterized by generalized pox lesions throughout the skin and mucous
membranes
– a persistent fever
– Lymph node swelling
– Subclinical cases may occur.

4. Etiology
Capripoxvirus
Family
Poxviridae

5. Transmission
– Aerosol transmission
– Contact with infected wool or bedding
– Insect vectors biting flies mosquitoes likely can act as vectors
– Virus can stable in the environment for weeks
– Ulcers on the mucous membranes are important source of transmission of
virus.

6. Incubation Period
– Under field conditions, the incubation of Sheep Pox is between 4 and 8 days
– Experimentally, the first sign (fever) may appear within 3 to 5 days after
inoculation
– The course of the disease is 4 to 6 weeks
– Full recovery may take up to 3 months

7. Clinical Signs
• Fever
• lymph node swelling,
• Edema of the eyelids,
• Nasal discharge,
• Anorexia (eating disorder)
• lacrimation (flow tears
• Coughing,
• Salivation

8. Clinical Signs
– Lesions may cover body
– Lips
– Groin or Axilla
– ears
– tail
– Death may occur at any stage

9. Lesions around lips , in Axilla &
on Tail

10. Field Diagnosis
– Diagnosis of Sheep Pox can be made on the basis of clinical signs consisting of
skin lesions
– Persistent fever
– Often pneumonia
– mortality may approach 50 percent in adults
– 95 percent in lambs and kids under 1 month of age

11. Autopsy
Numerous hard lesions of up
to 2 cm in diameter were
observed throughout
the lungs.

12. Autopsy
Lesions in Trachea

13. Treatment
– Antibiotics for secondary infection
– Anti inflammatory
– B- complex
– Good nursing care

14. Vaccination
– Vaccination can provide effective control in endemic areas
– Killed vaccines do not provide long lasting immunity
– Attenuated virus vaccines give immunity up to 2 years

15. Prevention & Control
– Restrictions on the movement of animals and animal products (meat, hair,
wool, and hides) are essential to prevent introduction of Sheep Pox
– Wool, hair, and hides must be subjected to suitable decontamination
procedures before entry into non endemic areas.
– Infected and exposed animals should be slaughtered
– Vaccination should be done