Editorial Book

Book Title: Advanced Researches in Agricultural Sciences (Volume 2)

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 02-Nov-2026 | Pages: 195-210 | Doi : https://doi.org/10.37446/vol2book092025/195-210

Contagious Ecthyma (Orf): Advances in Epidemiology, Immunopathogenesis, and Vaccine Development for Small Ruminants

• Gayana B K
• ICAR-National Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560119, India.


• Sunil Tadakod
• ICAR-National Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560119, India. REVA University Rukmini Knowledge Park, Yelahanka, Kattigenahalli, Sathanur, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 5600


• Sudeep . N
• ICAR-National Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560119, India.


• Megha V Naragund
• ICAR-National Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560119, India. Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560111, India.


• Chandana R U
• ICAR-National Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560119, India.


• Purushothaman S
• ICAR-National Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560119, India.


• Sudhakar V E
• ICAR-National Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560119, India.


• Manjunatha Reddy G.B
• ICAR-National Institute of ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560119, India.

Abstract

Contagious ecthyma, also known as Orf or sore mouth, is a highly contagious, zoonotic viral disease of sheep and goats caused by Orf virus, a member of the genus Parapoxvirus within the family Poxviridae. The disease is characterized by proliferative and crusting lesions at mucocutaneous junctions, especially around the lips, muzzle, nostrils, teats, and feet, and may also involve the oral cavity, leading to pain, anorexia, impaired suckling, weight loss, and economic loss. The infection is of major concern in young lambs and kids, where morbidity may be high and secondary bacterial infection can worsen clinical outcomes. Factors influencing the incidence of disease are age, management practices, seasonal factors, environmental contamination and direct or indirect contact with infected animals or fomites. Diagnosis is often suspected on clinical grounds, but confirmation may require histopathology, serology, virus isolation, electron microscopy or most importantly molecular detection by polymerase chain reaction. Control of contagious ecthyma is based on supportive care, isolation of affected animals, prevention of secondary infections, vaccination in endemic areas, and strong biosecurity measures as contagious ecthyma is self-limited and has no specific antiviral therapy. The fact that the infection is zoonotic also necessitates that farmers, veterinarians and animal handlers take personal protective measures. This chapter reviews the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, control for cosntagious ecthyma of sheep and goats, with emphasis on the current problems in diagnosis, prevention and vaccine design.

Keywords

Contagious ecthyma, Orf virus, Zoonotic disease, small ruminants, Skin lesion, Vaccination

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