Orf Virus By: Gena Sandoval

WANTED

Dead or Alive

Orf Virus

Cash Reward

Disease caused by virus: Orf Disease

The Orf Virus is a type of parapox virus that commonly targets the mouth area of sheep and goats but can be transmitted to humans. The orf virus is a zoonotic virus meaning that it can be transmitted from animal to human. It is highly contagious for animals but is an uncommon virus for humans to contract which makes it hard to diagnose.

The orf virus is transmitted and spread through contact with an infected animal. It is common for baby ewes to contract the disease and pass it to their mother when nursing which can result in the spread of the disease to the rest of the herd and even humans. In human cases the virus is often transmitted after the victim is bitten by an infected animal. The virus is lysogenic because symptoms don't become apparent until approximately 7-10 days after infection.

SymptomsThe symptoms of the orf disease in sheep and goats is sores around the mouth but for humans these sores can be found most commonly at the site of infection usually the hands or arms but can even be spread to the face.

Wanted for infecting 4 human victims between the years 2009 and 2011.

The most effect treatment for animals is for farmers to vaccinate their livestock while they are young as a preemptive measure and in cases of outbreaks to quarantine the infected animals until their symptoms subside.For humans though the most effective treatment is to wear gloves when working with infected animals and to make sure to frequently wash hands.

There is a vaccine made for animals which is made using a live virus and given to ewes during the first two months of their lives. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for the orf disease for humans but topical antiseptics are prescribed in order to reduce bacterial contamination and prevent a second outbreak from occurring.

Caution! This virus is a danger level 5 seeing that it isn’t so much fatal as highly contagious. It is a self limiting benign illness but can still have compromising effects on the victim's immune system as well as pain at the site of infection.