Molecular Detection of Sheep Poxvirus from Nasal Secretions of Sheep and the Disease Management from Suspected Outbreak in Salenke, Nigeria: A case study

Sheep poxvirus, Goat poxvirus and Lumpy skin disease virus belong to the Capripoxvirus genus of the family, Poxviridae, and are the causative agents of pox diseases in small and large ruminants. The diseases are endemic in Nigeria and are high consequence transboundary diseases capable of causing substantial loss to livestock production systems through morbidity, mortality, enforced control measures, and reduced trade. This was a study conducted following a report of suspected outbreak of pox disease in a flock of sheep, exhibiting mucous nasal discharges and skin eruptions (vesicles/nodules/scabs). This was followed by farm visit to clinically examine the infected animals and nasal swab samples were collected and subsequent disease management. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) was conducted on the nasal swab samples. Following the physical examination, 65 ewes (63%) were exhibiting signs of skin eruptions (vesicles, nodules and scabs) with varying degrees of respiratory complications. Pyrexia (39.5 to 41℃) was detected in 61 ewes, which is 94% of those with the skin lesions. Other clinical signs were mucous nasal discharges, lacrimation, dyspnoea, congested ocular mucous membrane and recorded mortality of 31 ewes. That is, morbidity and mortality rates were 63% and 30% respectively. The PCR product revealed clear bands of amplification at 150bp in the electropherogram. The clinical signs recorded coupled with the result of cPCR confirmed sheep poxvirus infection. Isolation and supportive treatment administered in the management of this outbreak really helped in limiting the spread of the disease.