| Description |
Sheep and goat pox are contagious viral diseases of small ruminants. Both diseases are caused by different strains of the capripoxvirus, with strains mostly causing severe disease in either sheep or goats. Some strains have been isolated that are equally pathogenic in both species. Infection causes fever and the formation of generalised papules or nodules, vesicles (rarely), internal lesions (lungs) and death. Sheep and goat pox is not considered a public health risk. |