After the detection of sheep and goat smallpox in two animal farms in Famagusta on Friday evening, 264 farms, 15,000 small cattle and 1,200 cattle were quarantined in the region. Quarantine imposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to prevent the spread of the disease, and it covers Famagusta, Tuzla and Güvercinlik regions.

Well, does sheep goat pox pose a risk to human health? Near East University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Deniz Seyrek İntaş made statements about the course of the sheeppox epidemic and its effects on human health.

It does not pose a risk to public health!
Emphasizing that the virus that causes sheep-goat smallpox died at 60 degrees Celsius, Prof. Dr. Deniz Seyrek İntaş said, “There is no transmission of the virus that causes the disease to humans. Foods such as meat and dairy products obtained from animals carrying the virus do not cause transmission to humans. On the other hand, this virus dies at 60 degrees Celsius. Therefore, sheep-goat smallpox does not pose a risk to public health. Reminding that vaccination activities against the disease have also started, Prof. Dr. Seyrek İntaş also emphasized that the meat of vaccinated animals should be kept for at least 28 days for consumption.

There is no risk in cattle!
Giving the information that Sheep-Goat Smallpox is transmitted through a virus that is a member of the Capripoxvirus genus from the Poxviridae family, Near East University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Deniz Seyrek İntaş said, “This virus, which has a single serotype, causes severe disease only in sheep and goats. The virus, which is resistant to rot and different conditions such as acid and alkali, can survive for years in dry shells. The viability period of the virus, which is extremely resistant, is 2 months on wool and 6 months on contaminated surfaces.

Emphasizing that the disease is a very dangerous and deadly disease that occurs in goats and sheep in the form of high fever, fluid-filled vesicles in the skin and lungs, Prof. Dr. Seyrek İntaş said, “There is no way of transmission of the disease to people by any means. Also, it does not show lethal effects in cattle.”

It can spread very quickly among small ruminants!
Emphasizing that the quarantine application initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources against Sheep-Goat Smallpox is a very appropriate decision, Near East University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Deniz Seyrek İntaş said, “The transmission rate of the disease is quite high. Thus, animals in areas where the disease is seen should be quarantined quickly. Animals that lost their lives should be buried in the ground and lime should be poured on them.”

Symptoms appear 8 to 13 days after transmission!
Listing the first symptoms of Sheep-Goat Smallpox as “fever, depression, conjunctivitis, tearing and runny nose”, Prof. Dr. Seyrek İntaş said, “The severity of the disease varies depending on the virus strain, age and breed of the animal. Mortality rates are high in lambs and immature ones under one month old. Adults also have a very low chance of surviving due to the infection in the lungs, and symptoms such as high fever, abortion, and weakness are observed.”

“The periods of transmission of the disease are 8-13 days following contact between the infected and susceptible animal. However, sometimes this can happen in as little as 4 days”, Near East University Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Prof. Dr. Deniz Seyrek İntaş, added; “Some European sheep breeds die as a result of acute infection before skin lesions develop. Initial findings are fever, depression, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, and nasal discharge. Within 2-5 days following the appearance of these findings, skin lesions develop in the non-pigmented and woolless parts of the skin such as the undertail and inguinal region, testicular sac, breast, armpits and nose tip, which can be more easily distinguished.”