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Orf (contagious pustular dermatitis) in farmworkers: prevalence and risk factors in three areas of England
Author(s) -
Paiba G. A.,
Thomas D. Rh.,
Morgan K. L.,
Bennett M.,
Salmon R. L.,
Chalmers R.,
Kench S. M.,
Coleman T. J.,
Meadows D.,
MorganCapner P.,
Softley P.,
Sillis M.,
Green L. E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.145.1.7
Subject(s) - flock , incidence (geometry) , serology , veterinary medicine , medicine , cohort , epidemiology , risk factor , demography , immunology , antibody , pathology , physics , optics , sociology
Orf is a zoonotic skin disease which is commonly self‐diagnosed by those who tend sheep and goats. This paper reports the prevalence, incidence and risk factors associated with the infection in a cohort of farmworkers from three areas of England, derived from the results of self‐reporting and serology. Twentythree per cent of those employed or living on a sheep farm reported ever having had orf, and the antibody serological profiles indicated a prevalence of 4 per cent and an annual incidence of 2‐8 per cent. The main risk factors associated with the infection were contact with sheep, the size of the sheep flock, and contact with dogs.