Sheep and Goat Pox

Sheep pox and goat pox are highly infectious diseases of sheep and goats characterized by fever, lacrimation (tear production), salivation, nasal discharge, and eruptions of numerous nodules in the skin. There is a high mortality rate in susceptible populations. Sheep pox virus and goat pox viruses are usually host specific; however, strains exist that can infect both sheep and goats. Sheep and goat pox viruses can replicate in cattle but do not cause any clinical signs of disease in cattle.

In Canada, sheep pox and goat pox are reportable diseases under the Health of Animals Regulations, and all cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Information we provide for the general public includes:

• Fact Sheet

Information we provide for producers and the livestock sector includes:

• Country Freedom Recognition List
• Fact Sheet