Prevalence and economic significance of goat pox virus disease in semi-arid provinces of Iran

BACKGROUND: Caprine pox virus disease play an important role in major constraints to small ruminants production in Iran. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted in different districts of Iran to determine the prevalence of goats pox virus disease in different age groups, sex and seasons in Black goats of Iran. METHODS: In this study skin lesions of male and female goats were collected randomly from different provinces during (January, 2007 to November, 2010). A total of 318 samples were examined, of which 66 were found positive. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate was 20.75%. Pox virus disease was observed significantly higher in older (58.33%) female goats (36.79%) and in rainy seasons (26.16%). The estimated economic losses due to condem-nation of skin deficiency were 5.59% which cost US$115.44 per thousand skin of slaughtered goats. The prevalence was significantly different (p|£|0.05) in different age groups and sex of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that pox virus disease infection in goats is associated with age, sex of animal and seasons of the year. To control the disease in infected provinces, appropriate preventive control strategies have to be designed to reduce the impact of the disease on goat production in Iran.