pseudocowpox

Pseudocowpox is a viral disease of cattle caused by the pseudocowpox virus, a species of the genus Parapoxvirus in the family Poxviridae. It produces contagious lesions, most often on the teats and udders, and can also affect the oral mucosa of calves. In humans, infection is zoonotic and may present as milker’s nodules on the hands after contact with infected cattle or contaminated equipment.

Transmission occurs through direct contact with lesions, contaminated milking equipment, or autoinoculation. The disease is typically mild and self-limiting, with higher prevalence in dairy herds where milking is frequent.

In cattle, signs include proliferative or ulcerative lesions on teats or udders, scabbing, and sometimes lesions on the muzzle or mouth of calves. Teat lesions can interfere with milking and predispose to secondary infections. In humans, lesions appear as raised nodules, usually on the hands, that heal over several weeks.

Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs and epidemiology and can be confirmed by laboratory tests such as PCR, virus isolation, or electron microscopy on material from lesions.

Treatment is generally supportive; there is no specific antiviral therapy. Management focuses on good milking hygiene, disinfection of equipment, and preventing secondary infections. There is no widely used commercial vaccine for pseudocowpox.

Zoonotic risk is an occupational concern for dairy workers and veterinarians. The prognosis for cattle is good, with most animals recovering within three to six weeks; herd-level control relies on hygiene, equipment cleanliness, and isolation of affected animals.