Transmission of capripoxvirus.

The transmission of capripoxvirus to sheep, using an aerosol suspension of a Yemen isolate of the virus, was demonstrated. Capripoxvirus was also transmitted by contact to sheep and goats kept with animals infected with virus isolates from the Yemen, Sudan, India and Nigeria. The incubation period for capripoxvirus infection in sheep and goats was approximately eight to 12 days. Animals that had well developed clinical signs transmitted capripoxvirus more rapidly than animals which died of peracute disease or animals that had only mild clinical signs.