A new outbreak of Vaccinia virus was observed in Southwest region of São Paulo State, Brazil. The disease was observed in small dairy farms with manual milking. Lesions in cattle were observed on teats and udder (Figure 1) characterized by vesicules and ulcers. Milkers presented lesions on hands and one child, 11 years of age, presented lesions in mouth and nose. Age of the milkers ranged from 22 to 63 years of age. Three of them were previously vaccinated against smallpox. Lymphadenopathy, headache, and fever were reported, varying in severity and persisting for ~2–5 days. Lesions in the ocular region were observed in one milker, 22 years of age, correlated with several lesions on the hands (Figure 2). Although several reports of Vaccinia virus outbreaks have been occurring in Brazil,1,2 it was not yet reported in this region. The disease in persons previously vaccinated and not vaccinated against smallpox reinforces the absence of immunity and the risk to the human health.
Vaccina virus lesions in teats of lactating cows. This figure appears in color at www.ajtmh.org.
Citation: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Am J Trop Med Hyg 79, 5; 10.4269/ajtmh.2008.79.646
Vaccina virus lesions in teats of lactating cows. This figure appears in color at www.ajtmh.org.
Citation: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Am J Trop Med Hyg 79, 5; 10.4269/ajtmh.2008.79.646
Vaccina virus lesions in teats of lactating cows. This figure appears in color at www.ajtmh.org.
Citation: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Am J Trop Med Hyg 79, 5; 10.4269/ajtmh.2008.79.646
Vaccinia virus (A) ocular and (B) hand lesion in milker. This figure appears in color at www.ajtmh.org.
Citation: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Am J Trop Med Hyg 79, 5; 10.4269/ajtmh.2008.79.646
Vaccinia virus (A) ocular and (B) hand lesion in milker. This figure appears in color at www.ajtmh.org.
Citation: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Am J Trop Med Hyg 79, 5; 10.4269/ajtmh.2008.79.646
Vaccinia virus (A) ocular and (B) hand lesion in milker. This figure appears in color at www.ajtmh.org.
Citation: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Am J Trop Med Hyg 79, 5; 10.4269/ajtmh.2008.79.646
Address correspondence to Jane Megid, UNESP, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. E-mail: jane@fmvz.unesp.br
Authors’ addresses: Jane Megid, Camila Michele Appolinário, and Rodrigo da Costa Carreira, UNESP, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, Botucatu, SP, Brazil, Tel: 00-55-14-3811-6270, Fax: 00-55-14-3815-2343, E-mails: jane@fmvz.unesp.br, camila_app@yahoo.com.br, and ro.carreira@hotmail.com.
REFERENCES
- 1↑
Damaso CRA, Reis SA, Jesus DM, Lima PSF, Moussatché N, 2007. A PCR based assay for detection of emerging vaccinia like viruses isolated in Brazil. Diag Microbiol Infect Dis 57 :39–46.
- 2↑
Trindade GS, Emerson GL, Carroll DS, Kroon EG, Damon IK, 2007. Brazilian vaccinia viruses and their origins. Emerg Infec Dis 13 :965–972.