Orf (Contagious Ecthyma) in Sheep: Welfare and Zoonosis
Orf is a painful viral skin disease affecting sheep, goats, and humans. This guide covers welfare impacts, management, and zoonotic risks.
Key Facts
Orf is caused by a parapoxvirus affecting lips, gums, and occasionally hooves
Lesions cause significant pain affecting ability to graze and suck in lambs
Lambs may be too painful to suckle, risking starvation
The virus is highly infectious and can persist in soil for years
Vaccination is available and widely used in endemic flocks
Orf is a zoonosis — human infection causes painful skin lesions
Welfare Considerations and Management
Welfare management of orf focuses on supporting affected animals and preventing spread. Lambs with severe oral lesions may require supplementary feeding or assisted suckling. Topical treatments help prevent secondary infection. Vaccination of ewes pre-lambing provides passive immunity to lambs. Hygiene measures protect farm workers from zoonotic infection. Isolation of affected animals reduces spread.
What You Can Do
Vaccinate flocks in endemic areas before lambing for best protection
Support affected lambs with supplementary feeding if suckling is painful
Wear gloves when handling orf-affected animals to prevent human infection
Isolate affected animals to reduce spread within the flock