Camelpox is a zoonosis in camels which can occasionally involve humans.
Virus: Camelpox virus (CMLV), genus Orthopoxvirus, family Poxviridae. It is closely related to Variola Virus.
Usual host: camels
Humans who come into contact with camels may become infected. It can also persist in the environment resulting in indirect infection. It can also be spread in camel milk.
Clinical features:
(1) Many infections are limited to a few skin or mucosal lesions.
(2) Systemic disease can occur, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Systemic infection:
(1) high fever
(2) prostration
(3) multiple skin lesions (macules, papules, vesicles, pustules)
(4) lymphadenopathy
Smallpox vaccination may limit infection.
The diagnosis can be confirmed by serology, PCR or electron microscopy.
Infection can be prevented by vaccine (live or attenuated)
