ABSTRACT
Capripoxviruses are classied within the family Poxviridae and are the etiological agents of sheeppox (SPP), goatpox (GTP), and lumpy skin disease (LSD) of cattle. The causative viruses, sheeppox virus (SPPV), goatpox virus (GTPV), and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), are responsible for a generalized pox disease characterized by pyrexia, generalized skin lesions, ulcerative lesions in the mucous membranes of the mouth and nasal cavities, and lymphadenopathy.1-4 Due to their transboundary capacity, capripoxvirus infections could become emerging diseases; the Ofce Internationale des Epizooties (OIE), or the World Organization for Animal Health, have to be notied of outbreaks. In endemic areas, they are of great economic signi- cance to farmers and have a major impact on international trade in livestock and livestock products. The morbidity and mortality of SSP and GTP are very high and can reach 100% in naïve animals. In contrast, LSD is an occasionally fatal disease with morbidity averaging 10% and mortality 1% in affected herds, although mortality rates over 75% have been recorded.5
