JACKSON, Wyo. — Bighorn sheep spending the winter on the National Elk Refuge are displaying signs of orf virus infections, according to an announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Also known as contagious ecthyma, the virus manifests in the sheep as “scabby sores around their lips, muzzle and in their mouth,” according to the announcement. Healthy sheep are expected to recover from the visual signs of the virus within three to six weeks, the agency said, although infected sheep can be more vulnerable to dangerous secondary infections.
“The viral infection has not been verified by the lab but bighorn sheep are displaying the visual clinical signs of the virus,” the announcement said. “There are a lot of apparent infected animals indicating the virus is likely widespread in the herd.”
Orf virus can spread to people when a human’s broken skin comes into contact with infected animals or contaminated equipment, the agency said. Bighorn sheep on the National Elk Refuge are used to cars and people; when they approach a car to lick its salt and mineral deposits, they can spread the virus among the herd, and put humans at risk of contracting the virus.
Fish and Wildlife recommends avoiding this phenomenon by keeping sheep saliva off of vehicles.
“Do your part to stop the spread of orf virus by keeping your vehicle moving when
animals are present on the road, honking your horn or slapping the side of your vehicle
to encourage animals to move off of the roadway, and immediately relocating your
vehicle to a different parking area if approached by sheep,” the agency said.
See the Center for Disease Control’s website for further information about orf virus.
