General Information About Orf Disease
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a contagious skin disease caused by a virus called parapoxvirus, generally transmitted from animals to humans, which slowly heals on its own.
It is transmitted by touching the lesions around the mouth/nose of infected sheep or goats (especially lambs/kids) without gloves, or when the virus enters through a small scratch on the skin while processing meat among butchers, shepherds, or during the Eid al-Adha festival.
No. Orf disease is a zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans) disease. The probability of human-to-human transmission via contact is virtually nonexistent.
Typically, a small red bump (papule) appears on the hands or fingers 1-2 weeks after contact. This bump grows, fills with fluid and blood, enlarges painfully, and eventually forms a crust.
The patient's history of recent contact with small livestock or raw meat, combined with the observation of the typical lesion by a Dermatologist, is generally sufficient for diagnosis.
There is no need for a specific antiviral medication or surgery. The body overcomes the virus within 4-6 weeks, and the lesion falls off without leaving a scar. Antibiotic wound creams are applied solely to prevent secondary bacterial infection of the lesion.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
