Sheep pox is a viral disease of sheep characterized by generalized pox lesions on the skin and mucous membranes, accompanied by fever and lymph node swelling. The causative agent is capripoxvirus, which is transmitted through aerosols, contact with infected materials, or insect vectors like biting flies and mosquitoes. The incubation period is typically 4-8 days, with clinical signs appearing 3-5 days after exposure. Lesions form on the lips, groin, axilla, ears, and tail. The disease course is 4-6 weeks and full recovery may take 3 months. Vaccination provides effective control in endemic areas.

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