Orf

Definition

Orf is a virus infection of the skin contracted from sheep and goats. Orf is caused by a parapox virus which infects mainly young lambs and goats. Human lesions are caused by direct inoculation of infected material. Orf is not uncommon among sheep farmers, shearers, freezing workers, vets and farmers' wives or their children who bottle-feed lambs. They occur most commonly on the fingers, hands or forearms but can appear on the face.

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