The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received notification Thursday from the Ministry of Agriculture , NAPLOUSE, Palestinian Auton. Territories about a camelpox outbreak in the West Bank.

Image/mariefrance
Image/mariefrance

Seven cases of the viral disease were confirmed  in dromedary camels belonging to Bedouins in a very wide area or open desert from Bethlehem to the Dead Sea (common grazing area). There are 2 infested herds, cases in females aged from 3 to 6 years old. 23 other camels are listed as susceptible.

Camelpox was confirmed using real-time PCR by Kimron Veterinary Institute.

This outbreak follows the confirmation of a case reported in Israel recently.

According to OIE, Camelpox is caused by a virus, Orthopoxvirus cameli and is found in Old World camelids. New World camelids are also susceptible. Camelpox virus is very host specific and does not infect other animals.

The disease is characterized by fever, local or generalized pox lesions on the skin and in the mucous membranes of the mouth and respiratory tract. The clinical manifestations range from inapparent infection to mild, moderate and, less commonly, severe systemic infection and death. The disease occurs more frequently and more severely in young animals and pregnant females. Transmission is by either direct contact between infected and susceptible animals or indirect infection via a contaminated environment.

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