Cowpox

Cowpox are a mild smallpox -like disease that has mainly affected cattle long time. The causative agent of cowpox is infectious to all mammals including humans. Today is known as Primary cowpox infection with Orthopoxvirus bovis or as elephants smallpox infection and its variety Orthopoxvirus bovis var elefanti. All of these viruses belong to the genus Orthopoxvirus. Orthopoxvirus vaccinia is a laboratory strain of vaccinia virus.

People can also contract cowpox. The transition from domestic cattle in prior years, mostly during milking and was limited to the hands ( milker's nodule ).

In Germany no infection of cattle has been documented in more recent years. " Cowpox is observed today, however, increasingly in cats, as well as zoo animals, with infections in elephants and rhinoceroses usually fatal. "

The disease is not notifiable.

Historical

After six precursors, including Mrs. Sevel, Mr. Jensen, Mr. Benjamin Jesty ( in 1774 ), Mrs. Rendall and Peter Plett ( in 1791 ), also recognized Edward Jenner ( 1749-1823 ) in 1796, that became ill with cowpox people then are not only immune to cowpox, but also immune to smallpox, whose excitation is closely related to the vaccinia virus. Edward Jenner coined the term vaccination (Latin vacca = cow) for smallpox vaccination.

Epidemiology

Cowpox virus have been detected only in Europe, Northern Europe and Great Britain to the Urals. As host animals today are mainly rodents such as mice. Two hundred cats were serologically examined for the orthopoxvirus, were positive and were probably infected from eating mice. From infected cats, the pathogen can also be transmitted to humans, which is why sometimes of " Cat Pox " is mentioned in these cases. From the Netherlands, a direct transition from a rat on a girl is documented.

The number of registered cowpox infection in Germany is increasing in recent years. It is unclear whether this is primarily due to an increased attention of the doctors or to lowered immunity against the virus after vaccination against human smallpox was discontinued in the 1970s.

Current cases

In January 2009, five women from Munich and Dachau suffering from cowpox, which were transferred by " pet rats " from a pet store in Munich. A few days after the purchase, the typical symptoms presented a how itchy painful rash, swollen lymph nodes with high fever and fatigue and up to two inches large ulcers spread across the upper body. Also from other states, according to the Robert Koch Institute were reported diseases in humans, including those from North Rhine -Westphalia, especially in the Krefeld area. The disease, however, will sometimes not be recognized because of their rare occurrence.

Symptoms

Rodents show after an infection usually no symptoms. However, cats can develop large sores on the skin, excrete large amounts of virus through this and so infect humans. For many cats, the disease is fatal.

Infected people have after an incubation period 7-12 days to commonly flu - like symptoms. It formed on the hands and legs and around the eyes often rashes, which heal after 6 to 8 weeks. You may get the infection to the death of the surrounding tissue (necrosis).

Treatment in humans

In Germany no vaccine against cowpox is approved. People who were vaccinated against human smallpox, have a relatively good vaccination against cowpox.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, there has been no therapy against cowpox. For an existing infection, it is recommended to provide open skin wounds to protect against additional bacterial infection locally with antibiotics.

It is important to avoid any direct skin contact with open skin wounds in humans and animals by wearing gloves.