Camel Contagious Ecthyma (pustular Dermatitis)

In 1979, pustular dermatitis caused by a virus belonging to the family Poxviridae , genus Parapoxvirus , was observed among camels in some areas of Mongolia . The morbidity in adults ranged from 10 to 80%, of 2 to 3-month-old suckling camels between 50-70% and it reached 100% in 1-year-old animals. In the beginning, pustules developed around the mouth followed by papular elevations and scab formation. The virus designated camel contagious ecthyma (CCE) grew on the chorionallantoic membrane (CAM) of 11-day-old chick embryos (CE). The disease was transferred to the scarified skin of 2 to 3-month-old camels. Vaccination with the material containing CCE virus seemed to be promising. In contrast, camels were not protected after immunization with vaccinia virus and with a vaccine against sheep and goat contagious ecthyma.