The names sheep pox virus and goat pox virus sound like they are from the same virus strains, and for a long time, so many people believed them to be, but through genetic sequencing, there has been a clear demonstration that they are from different strains.
The virus are contagious viral skin disease of sheep and goats. They belong to the Poxviridae family and genus Capripoxvirus.
source
While most strains are specifically tied to a certain host and they cause severe clinical diseases in either goats or sheep, others have equal virulence in both species. There could be a case of, recombination which could occur between the strains of sheep and goat, producing a spectrum with an intermediate host preference and a range of virulence.
The sources of the virus could be through;
- Saliva, nasal, and ocular secretions.
- Skin lesions with scabs.
- Milk, urine, and feces.
- Embryos or semen.
Sheep pox and goat pox are endemic in regions of north and central Africa, some parts of the Middle East, and Turkey, including some parts of Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
The incubation phase of sheeppox takes about 4-8 days and goatpox takes about 5-14 days. The clinical occurrence of the two is similar, but generally less severe amongst goats. Fever, a certain degree of systemic disturbance, eyelids that get swollen, and mucopurulent discharge crusts the nostrils.
The transmission of the virus usually happens after there has been close contact with animals that have been affected severely. Infection may happen through another mucous membrane, through indirect transmission by contaminated farm tools, and products, and also through indirect transmission by insects.
They are also abundant in skin lesions and their scabs, mucosal lesions can develop at different sites which include the eyes, mouth, anus, vagina, and prepuce.
This is not a zoonotic virus as it cannot possibly spread to infect humans, but two published cases made suggestions about their transmission, these reports were however considered doubtful as there was no proven evidence.
The clinical signs of the virus are; fever, lesions that can start developing internally creating breathing difficulties, red spots that become blisters, reluctance to feed, depression, eye and nose discharge, and death.
Animals are prone to die at any stage of the illness, sometimes even before the display of the external characteristics. Animals that get to survive recover at different rates, while some may heal up fast others may take time. Some skin lesions may take several weeks before they get healed up, while others may leave permanent scars.
There is no specific treatment for sheep pox or goat pox, there are however complications that will help limit the chances of complications and death. Prevention is important and more safe if you ask me. So following prevention procedures will save so many animals. Animals that are introduced to the farm should be quarantined, prevention of contact with sick animals is also important.
Some regions make vaccines available for both small and goat pox, but in other places, the vaccine may be different. Any noticed disease should be reported to the local/national guidelines for disease reporting.