Orf disease warning was made to novice butchers before Eid al-Adha. This disease, which is also called "Sheep Pox", named "Orf", is caused by the Parapox virus transmitted from small ruminants to humans. The disease manifests itself with sores on the hands, fingers and arms. Experts point out that the virus is transmitted to humans in cases such as knife injuries during slaughter.
Üsküdar University Occupational Health and Safety Master's Program Dr. Faculty Member Kaan Özkan Karadağ warned of Orf disease before Eid al-Adha.
It appears one week after slaughter
Drawing attention to the risk of Orf disease, which is a disease that expert butchers, especially those who slaughter animals despite not being a professional, Dr. Faculty Member Kaan Özkan Karadağ said that the disease usually occurs one week after slaughter.
Wounds appear on hands, fingers and arms
Stating that the disease mainly manifests itself with wounds on the fingers, hands and arms, Dr. Faculty Member Kaan Özkan Karadağ said, "People who slaughter sacrifices sometimes develop a wound about a week after the slaughter process. These wounds can be considered as a simple germ infection at first. However, if the appearance of the wound has become disturbing, it is absolutely necessary to consult a doctor. It is important for the doctor to ask the patient if he or she had slaughtered a sacrificial animal a week and 10 days before the wound. If the doctor cannot think of this question, a difficult process may begin. Because there are many serious diseases that can cause similar skin symptoms. For this reason, the information that the sacrifice was made should be mentioned and this detail should not be neglected."
Follow hygiene rules, wash your hands with soapy water
Stating that Orf disease, also known as ecthyma or sheep pox, is caused by a virus called Parapox, which is transmitted from small ruminants to humans, Prof. Dr. Kaan Özkan Karadağ said, "This virus, although rare, can cause serious health problems. Orf disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of ovine animals carrying the virus, contact of the meat, skin or wool of these animals with a small scratch or wound on the human hand, or injury with the knife used in slaughter."
It cannot be transmitted from person to person
Stating that wounds begin to appear within three days or two weeks at the latest after the virus is infected, Prof. Dr. Kaan Özkan Karadağ said, "It is not transmitted from person to person. It is also not transmitted by eating the meat of a sick animal. Parapox virus, which causes Orf disease, is seen in animals such as goats, sheep, mountain goats, camels, deer, rabbits, squirrels, gazelles, cats and dogs. For this reason, it is very important to follow hygiene rules during contact with animals and to wash hands with plenty of soap and water after slaughter. Due to risky situations such as hand cuts and injuries, it is absolutely necessary to have a specialized butcher perform the slaughter process."