Contagious ecthyma/ Orf
Primarily it is a disease of sheep and goats caused by a dermotropic virus - Orf virus - that belongs to the Parapoxvirus genus of the family Poxviridae. The disease is found in all sheep raising countries including UK, Finland, Australia, New Zealand and India. It is transmitted to humans through contact with infected sheep and goats and is reported as an occupational disease. Orf is the name given to a skin condition in humans. Orf in humans is a chronic disease and is characterized by poorly healing exudative papules developed most commonly on the hands, arms or other exposed part of the body that has been in contact with infective matter. Rarely ocular lesion can also occur.