Contagious Ecthyma in Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat in Western Canada

Abstract

Contagious ecthyma (CE) is reported in bighorn sheep (Ovis c. canadensis) from several national parks in western Canada and in moutain goat (Oreamnos americanus) from Kootenay National Park, British Columbia. (This is the first report of CE in mountain goat.) Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, histopathology, transmission experiments and the demonstration of a proxvirus with the electron microscope. The infection was transmitted from wild to domestic goat, but not to domestic sheep. Most infections, some of them severe, were found in lambs and kids. Clinical signs of disease were similar to those seen in domestic sheep and goats. General body condition was poor and animals had difficulty feeding normally. All infected herds had prolonged contact with areas where salt was provided artificially (i.e., salt blocks, highways and campgrounds). Fewer infected sheep were observed annually when salt blocks were removed from Jasper National Park.

Contagious Pustular Dermatitis (Orf Disease) - Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Control and Public Health Concerns

“…The disease was also transmitted from wild to domestic goats when infected herds had prolonged contact with areas where salt blocks were provided artificially on highways and camp grounds. Fewer infected sheep were observed annually when salt blocks were removed from Jasper National park (Samuel et al, 1975). However, rapidity of spread and extent of lesions of CE were ascribed to penetration by sharp stems of the edible shrub (Temoletonia retusa) (Gardiner et al, 1967) that prepares the path for infection (Rubino and Espantoso, 1937).…”

“…All the age groups are equally affected (Harriss, 1948;Kozlowski and Dziekonski, 1956;Sharma and Bhatia, 1959;Obi and Gibs, 1978;Kummeneje and Krogsrud, 1979;Tontis et al, 1981;Mazur and Machado, 1989;Housawi et al,1991;Yeruham et al, 1991;Billinis et al, 2012;Bouznach et al, 2013) irrespective of breed and sex of the animals (Flament and Martin, 1938;Sharma and Bhatia, 1959;Kater and Hansen, 1962;Gerstl, 1964;Samuel et al, 1975;Kumar et al, 1974;Debouck, 1979;El-Dahaby et al, 1980;Pekelder et al, 1980;Ilic et al, 1986;Zanin et al, 1987;Coates and Hoff, 1990;Nooruddin and Barik, 1989;Nolikuwera, 1992;Yeruham et al, 1991;Wu and Sun, 1992). United Kingdom has documented 2.167 million orf affected sheep, leading to £10 million loss, includes both treatment and production losses as per the report of Bennett and Ijpelaar (2005).…”

Wildlife habitats in managed rangelands—The Great Basin of southeastern Oregon.

“…Contagious ecthyma (soremouth) has commonly been diagnosed in domestic and bighorn sheep (Blood 1971, Campbell 1980, Samuel et al 1975. Although some biologists think this condition has minimal impacts on bighorn sheep (Blood 1971), it has been responsible for numerous deaths, primarily oflambs (Campbell 1980).…”

“…Conditions detrimental to bighorn sheep that may result include severe grazing (Stelfox 1971); the potential for exchange of parasites or disease between bighorns and other ungulates, particularly domestic sheep (Bunch et al 1978, Samuel et al 1975; and degradation of water quality by mucking or defecation (Welles and Welles 1961;Wilson 1968Wilson , 1977.…”

“…This is especially important where flying insect vectors are involved. Attractants such as salt stations should be used sparingly because they tend to concentrate use by all ungulates and increase the possibility of disease transfer (Blood 1971, Samuel et al 1975. Likewise, water sources and feeding stations should be placed so they are never used at any time by both domestic and bighorn sheep ( fig.…”