Clinico-pathological features and management of an outbreak of contagious ecthyma in an organized goat farm in Rajasthan

Abstract

An outbreak of contagious ecthyma was investigated in an organized goat farm in village Tyod in Jaipur district of Rajasthan. The outbreak occurred during the first week of June, 2012 in Beetal goats purchased from Punjab. Within a week, all the goats (24 females and 1 male) were affected with skin lesions accompanied by anorexia and fever. On the basis of clinical symptoms and the extent of gross lesions, animals were categorized into three groups viz., phase I, II and III. Of the 25 Beetal goats, four females and one male showed initial lesions (Phase I) such as papules and pustules at the oral commissures and muzzle. Twelve goats showed moderate lesions (Phase II) of ecthyma. Eight goats were highly emaciated and exhibited anorexia, pyrexia and severe lesions (Phase III) at the oral commissures, muzzle and nostrils as well as haemorrhagic ulcers in buccal mucosa. With the passage of time, the infection spread to other goat flocks of Jakhrana and non-descript goats in which two females of each breed exhibited phase II lesions. Of the 20 kids, only one male kid of Beetal goat was found affected with anorexia, fever and phase I lesions of the disease. The presence of contagious ecthyma in the affected goats was confirmed by specific polymerase chain reaction. Jamunapari, Sirohi, Totapari goats and bucks kept for commercial purposes at the premises did not reveal any clinical signs of the disease. Categorization of the affected animals made it easy to offer an effective treatment as well as prevention of spread of infection in non-affected goats.