Buffalo pox outbreak with atypical features: a word of caution and need for early intervention

Abstract

Background Despite repeated outbreaks of poxvirus infections unique to the Indian subcontinent region and veterinary research work in this field, much less diagnostic awareness with resultant treatment protocols have been formulated in the human medical field. Aims With this objective in mind, a combined human medical and veterinary study was conducted on a recent outbreak of buffalopox infection in a village in northern India. Methods A team of doctors did the clinical examination and collected swab and serum samples from both cattle and humans, and these were subjected to viral isolation, cell culture, plaque reduction neutralization test, polymerase chain reaction, and partial genome sequencing. Results A clustered foci of 12 human patients aged 11–60 years, 12 buffaloes, and 10 cows were found to be affected with buffalopox infection with some atypical features. Conclusion Awareness, diagnosis, education, early intervention, and formulation of disaster guidelines are needed in view of the potential epidemiologic outbreak, if this happens in the future.