It is one of the well-known diseases that affect camels and is spread all over the world. It is considered one of the most dangerous diseases for camels if it is not treated. It affects young and old camels alike, and causes direct death to small animals more than large animals.
It is caused by a virus that affects only camels, as it is transmitted in the air and over short distances, and it can also be transmitted in the event of wounds, scratches, or insect bites to camels.
Smallpox disease spoils camel milk, and among its symptoms is that infected camels suddenly stop eating, drinking and ruminating as a result of their high temperature. Small granules also appear on the lips, head, between the hind legs, under the neck, chest and abdomen, then spread to the rest of the body and can be felt under the fur and then These granules turn into blisters that contain liquid inside them, and then they explode to let the liquid come out and remain in their place in the form of skin crusts that cover suppurations underneath.
This disease spreads quickly as a result of mixing and continuous scratching of infected animals on anything they encounter, even on each other. The incubation period of the disease is from 3 to 15 days. Sometimes with scabies, and there is no specific treatment for the smallpox virus yet
In cases of severe or chronic injuries, especially when the camels show signs of pneumonia or when skin ulcers appear, the camels are given an injection of penicillin daily for 5 days, or the antibiotic oxytetracycline at a concentration of 2%, and they must also be given injections of vitamin A, which helps in healing. Faster, and Vaseline should be applied to sore areas, especially around the mouth, to prevent skin cracks
