Mary Wilson
Well-known member
January 19, 2024
by Buckrail @ Marianne
JACKSON, Wyo. — Bighorn sheep spending the winter on the National Elk Refuge are displaying signs of orf virus infections, according to an announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Also known as contagious ecthyma, the virus manifests in the sheep as “scabby sores around their lips, muzzle and in their mouth,” according to the announcement. Healthy sheep are expected to recover from the visual signs of the virus within three to six weeks, the agency said, although infected sheep can be more vulnerable to dangerous secondary infections.
“The viral infection has not been verified by the lab but bighorn sheep are displaying the visual clinical signs of the virus,” the announcement said. “There are a lot of apparent infected animals indicating the virus is likely widespread in the herd.”
Orf virus can spread to people when a human’s broken skin comes into contact with infected animals or contaminated equipment, the agency said. ...
https://buckrail.com/bighorn-sheep-on-elk-refuge-showing-signs-of-virus/
by Buckrail @ Marianne
JACKSON, Wyo. — Bighorn sheep spending the winter on the National Elk Refuge are displaying signs of orf virus infections, according to an announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Also known as contagious ecthyma, the virus manifests in the sheep as “scabby sores around their lips, muzzle and in their mouth,” according to the announcement. Healthy sheep are expected to recover from the visual signs of the virus within three to six weeks, the agency said, although infected sheep can be more vulnerable to dangerous secondary infections.
“The viral infection has not been verified by the lab but bighorn sheep are displaying the visual clinical signs of the virus,” the announcement said. “There are a lot of apparent infected animals indicating the virus is likely widespread in the herd.”
Orf virus can spread to people when a human’s broken skin comes into contact with infected animals or contaminated equipment, the agency said. ...
https://buckrail.com/bighorn-sheep-on-elk-refuge-showing-signs-of-virus/