Outbreak of human buffalopox infection

Abstract

An outbreak of febrile illness with vesicular lesions on hands and forearms of six persons was investigated. There was simultaneous outbreak of similar illness in buffaloes that were milked by these persons. Buffaloes had lesions on many parts of body including udder and teats. Manual milking without gloves exposed the persons to the infection. Investigations proved that both the outbreaks were due to buffalopox virus infection. Improved dairy practices like wearing gloves while milking might help in prevention of spread of infection to other animals and humans.