Outbreak of sheep pox among cross bred sheep in Kashmir valley

Sheep pox is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of sheep characterized by fever, generalized papules or nodules, vesicles (rarely), internal lesions (particularly in the lungs), and death. It causes huge economic losses due to high mortality in flocks, decreased growth and increase in treatment costs. It is endemic in many parts of the world including India. An outbreak of Sheep pox was observed in cross breed (Kashmir Merino) sheep during autumn season of 2019 in District Budgam and Bandipora, J&K. The infected animals showed high fever and inappetance followed by appearance of papules initially in areas devoid of wool like axilla, inguinal region, face etc. The morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates in the present study were 35.50%, 4.31% and 13.26%, respectively. The morbidity and mortality were higher in lambs and ewes than adults and males, respectively. The mortality and morbidity was higher in lambs and female sheep as compared to adults and males. Non-vaccination, mixing of livestock at highland pastures and non-segregation of infected were among precipitating factors of the sheep pox outbreak.