User:Mr. Ibrahem/Orf (disease)

Orf is a viral infection, acquired from other animals. Symptoms are a pus filled bumps of the skin a few centimeters in size; generally, of the hands or forearms. A pale halo may forms around the red center and than crust over. Onset is about a week after exposure and generally a single lesion occurs. Pain, slight fever, or swollen lymph glands may occur. A few cases are associated with erythema multiforme.

It is caused by the Orf virus (ORFV), a type of Parapoxvirus. It generally spreads to people by infected sheep, particularly lambs, or goats. Rarely cases may occur from contaminated objects or other people. People who work with animals are most commonly affected. Once resolved, a person can be infected again. Diagnosis may be supported by PCR. It is a type of is a farmyard pox, together with milker's nodule.

Generally, no specific treatment is required. Occasionally cidofovir or imiquimod is used. It is rarely necessary to cut them out. The vaccine used to prevent disease in sheep is live and can cause disease in humans. Generally the lesion resolves within 8 weeks.

The disease is relatively common in areas with goat or sheep farming. Livestock herds are more commonly affected than people. It became more common in southwest Ethiopia between October 2019 and May 2020. The disease was officially described in 1787, though had been known previously. Other animals commonly develop facial lesions.