Another eradicated smallpox returns: first foci of goat and sheep pox in Spain for 50 years

The outbreaks have appeared in farms in Granada and Cuenca Mortality in animals can reach 100% Goat and sheep pox belong to the same family as human and monkey pox On September 19, 2022, an outbreak of sheep pox was confirmed and goat in a breeding sheep farm, with a census of 314 sheep and 11 goats, located in the municipality of Benamaurel, in the province of Granada. The disease had been eradicated from Spain since 1968. It is the first outbreak to appear in more than 50 years. Days later two new additional outbreaks have been confirmed. The second was in Cúllar (Granada) in a breeding sheep farm for meat that had a census of 170 sheep and 20 goats. The third in a sheep concentration center located in the municipality of Villaescusa de Haro (Cuenca) with a total census of 1,070 sheep and 14 goats. In the three farms there were animals with symptoms and clinical lesions compatible with sheep pox and goat pox, two viral diseases caused by viruses of the Capripoxvirus genus, belonging to the Poxviridae family, the same family in which the human smallpox virus is classified. and the monkeypox virus. What are sheep pox and goat pox Sheep pox and goat pox are diseases of domestic ruminants characterized by fever, generalized papules or nodules, vesicles, skin or internal lung lesions, and death. Their occurrence has a significant economic impact on the livelihoods of small farmers and poor rural communities in endemic regions. Historically, cases of sheep pox and goat pox occur regularly in North and Central Africa, throughout the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Mongolia, China, Bangladesh and Viet Nam. The diseases are also endemic in Turkey and between 2013 and 2015 there were four outbreaks in Bulgaria and several outbreaks in Greece. They are classified as notifiable diseases due to their potential for rapid spread and substantial economic impact. Sheep and goat pox have been identified as one of the main impediments to the genetic improvement of sheep and goat populations and, consequently, to the development of intensive production units in Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Mortality of 100 %The incubation period for sheep pox is 4 to 8 days and for goat pox 5 to 14 days. Mortality can be as high as 100% in susceptible breeds, particularly among lambs and kids. Decreased productivity of surviving animals causes, on average, annual losses of 30-43% in income. Affected herds or herds can take up to 6 years to recover from an outbreak. Infected sheep and goats shed the virus in oral, nasal, and eye secretions, and transmission occurs through aerosols and direct contact. When there are high viral loads on the skin, some insect vectors such as the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) can produce mechanical transmission. Due to the stability of the virus, sheep and goat pox can persist in the environment for long periods, leading to infection of non-exposed animals. Slaughter of infected herd There is no specific treatment. If possible the infected herd should be euthanized. If culling is not possible, it is imperative to isolate infected herds and sick animals for at least 45 days. Carcasses must be properly disposed of and strict cleaning and disinfection of farms and equipment in contact with animals is mandatory. In addition, it is necessary to carry out controls on the movement of animals and vehicles within the infected areas. Vaccination should be the strategy to use when the disease is widespread. There are several attenuated virus vaccines that are administered subcutaneously or intradermally. Immunity conferred lasts up to 2 years. Inactivated vaccines give, at best, only short-term immunity. Fortunately, infection results in strong and long-lasting immunity in surviving animals. At this time it is imperative to establish measures to control the outbreak of sheep and goat pox as soon as possible.