Description
Unlock the latest insights on orf virus in this essential, practice‑focused webinar designed for veterinarians. With new research revealing updated prevalence patterns, hidden economic losses and shifting on‑farm risk factors, this session equips vets with the knowledge they need to lead flock‑health conversations with confidence.
You’ll discover how current treatment approaches are evolving, what real‑world data shows about vaccine use and lesion-management outcomes, and how to translate emerging evidence into practical, farm‑ready advice. The webinar also provides clear, actionable guidance for supporting farmers on prevention, biosecurity, strategic vaccination and long‑term control planning.
Crucially, we highlight the zoonotic nature of orf and outline essential public‑health precautions to protect veterinary teams and farm workers.
Learning Objectives
- Understand orf pathogenesis — Describe the epidemiology, transmission routes, and environmental persistence of orf virus UK sheep and goat systems, including risk factors that drive flock-level outbreaks.
- Recognise clinical presentation — Identify the full spectrum of clinical signs in lambs, kids, and adult animals, including atypical or severe manifestations such as teat lesions, proliferative skin lesions, and secondary bacterial infections.
- Apply diagnostic approaches — Evaluate when laboratory confirmation is warranted, interpret PCR and histopathology findings, and differentiate orf from other vesicular or ulcerative diseases (e.g., foot-and-mouth disease, bluetongue, dermatophytosis).
- Implement effective control strategies — Formulate evidence‑based prevention and control plans, including vaccination protocols, biosecurity measures, lambing shed hygiene, and management of persistent environmental contamination.
- Manage zoonotic risk — Advise farm staff and veterinary teams on zoonotic transmission, personal protective equipment, safe handling of infected animals, and communication strategies to reduce occupational exposure.
