02/12/2025
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🐑 Type of Disease: Contagious Ecthyma (Orf)
This disease goes by several names:
Contagious Ecthyma
Orf (common name, especially when referring to the human infection)
Scabby Mouth
Contagious Pustular Dermatitis (CPD)
Key Facts
Feature Description
Cause A highly contagious viral disease caused by the Orf virus, a member of the Parapoxvirus genus.
Affected Animals Primarily sheep and goats, especially lambs and kids.
Transmission Direct contact with infected animals or indirectly via the environment. The virus is very hardy and can survive in dried scabs on premises for years. Infection usually enters through cuts or abrasions around the mouth (e.g., from coarse feed, thistles, or erupting teeth).
Zoonotic Risk Yes. Orf is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted to humans, typically causing a single, painful sore on the hands, arms, or face. Protective gloves should be worn when handling infected animals.
⚕️ Treatment and Management
There is no specific curative treatment for the Orf virus once an animal is infected, as it is a viral disease and is usually self-limiting. The goal of management is to allow the disease to run its course while preventing secondary complications.
1. Primary Management (The Virus)
Self-Limiting: In most uncomplicated cases, the lesions will progress through the blister/pustule/scab stages and heal spontaneously within 3 to 4 weeks, often leaving no scar.
Avoid Manual Removal: Do not forcibly remove the scabs, as this delays healing and exposes the underlying raw skin to secondary infection.
2. Supportive Treatment (Secondary Infections)
Treatment is mainly directed at secondary bacterial infections and providing supportive care:
Topical/Local Treatment:
Applying antiseptic or astringent sprays (e.g., iodine/glycerin mixtures) to soften the scabs and keep the area clean.
Topical antibiotic ointments (in consultation with a veterinarian) to treat or prevent secondary bacterial infection in severe lesions.
Systemic Treatment (for Severe Cases):
Antibiotics: Systemic (injectable) antibiotics may be necessary if the lesions are extensive, severely inflamed, or if the animal shows signs of fever or deep bacterial infection.
Encourage Feeding: Severely affected lambs may be unable to suckle or eat due to pain. They must be monitored and potentially assisted with soft feed or tube feeding to prevent starvation and weight loss.
3. Prevention and Control (Vaccination)
Vaccination: A live Orf vaccine is available for sheep and goats.
It should only be used in flocks with a known history of the disease (as it introduces the live virus to the property).
It is typically applied by scratching the skin (scarification) on an unwoolled area (like the inner thigh).
Biosecurity:
Isolate affected animals to reduce the spread.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect pens, feeding equipment, and lambing sheds, as the virus can survive for a long time in the environment.
