What is Sheep pox and goat pox?
Sheep pox and goat pox are viral diseases of sheep and goats characterised by fever, generalised papules or nodules, vesicles (rarely), internal lesions (particularly in the lungs), and death. Both diseases are caused by strains of capripoxvirus, all of which can infect sheep and goats.
Sheeppox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GTPV) are the causative agents of sheep pox and goat pox, and with lumpy skin disease virus make up the genus Capripoxvirus in the family Poxviridae.
The virus remains viable in wool for 2 months and in premises for as long as 6 months.
These diseases may cause significant economic losses due to decreased milk production, poor quality of hides and wool and trade restrictions.
The disease is categorised as “ Category A” under the EU AHL and does not normally occur in the Union which requires immediate eradication measures as soon as it is detected.
Under the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), sheep pox and goat pox is a listed disease.
Transmission
Sheep pox and goat pox are primarily transmitted through aerosol exposure following close contact with animals showing severe clinical signs, particularly those with ulcerated papules on the mucous membranes.
Infection can also occur through abraded skin or contact with other mucous membranes. Indirect transmission via fomites is possible, while mechanical transmission by insects is considered rare.
Importantly, chronically infected carriers do not exist.
Current Situation
For epidemiological information gathered through the EU Animal Disease Information System (ADIS), please see the "Notification System" page.
In addition, the agenda and the presentations of the points being discussed in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) can be found in the "Animal Health and Welfare regulatory committee" page.
Prevention and control measures
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (“Animal Health Law”, AHL) lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases which are transmissible to animals or to humans, including rules on disease awareness, preparedness and control.
Regulation (EU) 2016/429 also provides, for "category A" diseases, specific rules apply to species and groups of animal species that pose a considerable risk for the spread of specific diseases and which are listed as such in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2002 of 7 December 2020 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to Union notification and Union reporting of listed diseases, to formats and procedures for submission and reporting of Union surveillance programmes and of eradication programmes and for application for recognition of disease-free status, and to the computerised information system.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases, supplements the rules on disease awareness, preparedness and control to be applied with regard to the listed diseases referred to in Article 9(1)(a), (b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429.
The disease control measures set out in this Delegated Regulation should apply to animals and to products obtained from animals, including products of animal origin, germinal products, animal by-products and derived products.
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361 lays down specific rules to be implemented by Member States when using vaccination to prevent or control sheep pox and goat pox and sets the conditions that enable movement of vaccinated animals and their products.
Specific control measures
In response to the evolution of the disease in affected countries, European Commission adopts additional emergency measures.
BTSF Training materials on Sheep pox and goat pox
Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) is a European Commission initiative that supports the fight against PPR by training veterinary officials in EU Member States and neighbouring countries to strengthen prevention, detection, and control measures.
Presentations from sessions held on the PPR topic are available below:
EU support for SPGP surveillance activities
The European Commission provides financial support for the surveillance and early detection of certain diseases of animals, including sheep pox and goat pox, in high risk areas, through the Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) programmes (implemented in Greece, Bulgaria) and the T.H.R.A.C.E programme (= Trans-boundary High Risk Area Coordinated Epidemio-surveillance programme) in place since 2013 (Greece, Bulgaria, Turkiye) coordinated by the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and–Mouth Disease (EuFMD).
The Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks
The EU antigen, vaccine, and diagnostic reagent banks play a key role in supporting Member States or, when primarily intended to prevent the spread of a disease into the Union, third countries during the early stages of a vaccination campaign against certain Category A diseases such as Sheep pox and goat pox.
The EU banks ensure the availability and strategic management of essential biological materials, including specific types and strains of antigens, vaccines, and diagnostic reagents. Provisions for the management, storage, and replenishment of these stocks, along with strict biosecurity, biosafety, and biocontainment requirements, are set out in the following Regulations:
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/139 of 16 November 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the management, storage and replacement of stocks of the Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks and the biosecurity, biosafety and bio-containment requirements for the operation of those banks
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/140 of 16 November 2021 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the Union antigen, vaccine and diagnostic reagent banks
These Regulations also define the conditions for access to the Union banks, and the relationship with national antigen, vaccine, and diagnostic reagent banks.
SPGP Diagnostics
Relevant information can be found on the website of the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) – SCIENSANO, European Union Reference Laboratory for Capripox viruses