Sheep farmers warned about risk of catching orf
The infection, which is caused by a virus, affects around 30% of sheep flocks every year and can be a major problem at lambing time. Maureen Prendergast, veterinary adviser with Schering Plough, warned that the virus can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected or seemingly normal sheep. It enters the skin through cuts and abrasions and results in lesions on the hands, arms, face or other exposed skin areas. It is sometimes accompanied by a mild fever that lasts a few days.
Ms Prendergast said most people suffering from orf can be effectively treated with antiseptics and antibiotics but where lesions are large, surgery or other procedures may have to be used. In sheep, orf is highly infectious and is characterised by lesions on the lips, nose, ears, eyelids and sometimes on the feet.
These lesions develop into thick, brown, rapidly growing scabs that bleed easily. Affected sheep are also prone to secondary bacterial infection.
“As immunity is not passed on through the ewe’s colostrum, newborn lambs are particularly prone to infection,” Ms Prendergast said. “As any farmer who has suffered the ordeal will testify, an outbreak after lambing is an absolute nightmare.
Ms Prendergast said vaccination is the best method of controlling orf. While it cannot guarantee 100% protection, it will reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks. However, as the orf vaccine is ‘live’, Ms Prendergast stressed that it should only be used on flocks that have already been infected. She urged farmers administering the vaccine to wear protective gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Also, any cuts or skin abrasions should be treated with disinfectant.
