Retrospective analysis of epizootic situation in sheep pox and goat pox

Abstract

Sheep pox and goat pox are highly contagious transboundary diseases of sheep and goats caused by viruses belonging to the genus Capripoxvirus of the Poxviridae. These infections of goats are subject to mandatory notification to the OIE. Diseases cause great economic damage to sheep and goat breeding, due to the death and forced slaughter of sick animals, a decrease in productivity, the cost of conducting veterinary and sanitary, security and quarantine measures. It should also be noted social significance, since often diseased animals are the only means of subsistence for the owners. The authors carried out a retrospective analysis of the epizootic situation of sheep pox and goat pox in the Russian Federation and Mongolia. Epizootic characteristics were assessed using the OIE databases. Materials obtained by the authors during business trips, as well as information published in scientific articles were used in analyzing the data. Smallpox of sheep and goat in the Russian Federation appear as sporadic cases and mainly in the regions of the Far Eastern and Siberian federal districts, bordering with China and Mongolia. The data of the phylogenetic analysis of the causative agent that caused the outbreaks of the disease in Transbaikalia served as the basis for the conclusion that the virus was introduced from China. The results of surveys of foci of sheep pox in the Republic of Dagestan and the Republic of Kalmykia suggest the probable introduction of the pathogen from the regions of Kazakhstan that were previously unsuccessful for sheep pox. Mainly sheep pox was recorded in the Russian Federation during the analyzed period. Isolated cases of goat pox are 22 explained by the small population of these animals. Smallpox of sheep and goats are constantly reported in Central Asian countries. For the constituent entities of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts, the border countries endemic for sheep pox pose a great threat.