Investigation on Outbreak of Contagious Ecthyma in Assam Hill Goats and Its Therapeutic Management at Goat Research Station, Burnihat, Assam, India

Abstract

Contagious ecthyma, also known as orf, is an acute, highly contagious, and economically important zoonotic disease of small ruminants caused by orf virus, belonging to Parapoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. An investigation of an outbreak of contagious ecthyma was conducted at Goat Research Station, Burnihat, Assam, from November 2025 to February 2026 to study the epidemiological pattern, clinicopathological changes, and therapeutic management of contagious ecthyma in goats. Out of a total of 170 goats, 28 goats showed clinical manifestations of contagious ecthyma, resulting in an overall outbreak prevalence of 16.47 percent. Among these, kids between 0-3 months of age showed the highest incidence of contagious ecthyma, with female kids being more susceptible to the disease than male kids. Clinically, goats with contagious ecthyma showed pyrexia, anorexia, depression, and proliferative, crusty lesions around the lips, muzzle, and occasionally on the eyelids and limbs. In addition, goats with contagious ecthyma showed leukocytosis with decreased hemoglobin and packed cell volume. Contagious ecthyma was confirmed by PCR assay of scab materials. Antiseptic care, topical antimicrobial agents, systemic antimicrobial agents, and supportive care resulted in complete recovery of goats with contagious ecthyma within 10-20 days, with two mortalities. The findings highlight the seasonal vulnerability of young kids and underline the importance of early diagnosis, isolation and prompt supportive therapy in controlling outbreaks.