Spread and impact of goat pox (“sagolay bohonta”) in a village smallholder community around Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India

A highly fatal outbreak of goat pox, clinically indistinguishable from the known disease, emerged in villages surrounding Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India, during September and October 2017. The outbreak affected a previously naïve local population due to a trend of avoiding external animal purchases, leading to significant financial hardship for smallholder goat keepers who rely on goats for savings and income. The study, conducted through clinical examinations, interviews, and participatory village meetings, highlighted the role of local grazing practices in both spreading and controlling the disease. Laboratory confirmation was deemed unnecessary due to specific clinical signs. Awareness of the disease and its association with farming practices could offer opportunities for future control measures, enhancing animal welfare and rural prosperity.

Hopker, A., Pandey, N., Saikia, D., Goswami, J., Hopker, S., Saikia, R., & Sargison, N. (2019). Spread and impact of goat pox (“sagolay bohonta”) in a village smallholder community around Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 51(4), 819–829. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1759-4