ORF virus (Contagious Ecthyma)

Contagious ecthyma is a severe and proliferative viral disease affecting ovine and caprine species, and eventually men, caused by the contagious ecthyma virus (ECV) of the Parapoxvirus genus. The disease is spread worldwide, including in Brazil, where in the state of Pernambuco, due to its endemicity, can be mistaken by other vesicular diseases such as the Foot and mouth Disease, which requires its diagnostic differentiation. Meanwhile, the control of the infection in endemic regions is limited due to the difficulties in replicating the virus in cell cultures, for the development of vaccines.