🐪 Camelpox
A viral infection with pox lesions on the lips and head, worst in young calves.
What is it?
Camelpox is a contagious viral disease caused by a poxvirus. It affects camels of all ages but is much more severe in young calves and can spread quickly through a herd.
Signs
- Fever, dullness and poor appetite.
- Papules and pustules on the lips, nostrils and around the eyes, which may spread to the head, neck and body.
- Swollen lymph nodes; in severe cases trouble suckling or eating.
How does it spread?
Direct contact with sick camels and contaminated equipment, pens and water points. Scabs that fall off the lesions stay infectious for a long time.
Prevention
- Vaccinate according to your vet's programme for your area.
- Isolate any camel or calf with lesions, and quarantine new camels before they join the herd.
- Clean and disinfect pens, tools and water points.
- Wear gloves when handling cases; the disease can pass mildly to people.
🚨 When to call the vet at once
A young calf with mouth lesions that cannot suckle, or lesions on several animals at once.
📱 How Zajel helps
Log the vaccine in Zajel to get the next-dose reminder, and record the case under Health so you know who was isolated and when.
This information is general. Diagnosis and doses always stay with your vet.
Sources: WOAH — Camelpox · Merck Veterinary Manual