Thread: Anyone had and orf?

Have a google about them if you don't know what they are. I contracted one about a year ago off a hind I shot. Nasty little scab that I initially thought was a thorn or splinter in between my thumb and forefinger. When it mutated into a sore that wouldn't seem to heal I showed a nurse who knew what it was straight away. She asked if I had been handling sheep or goats. I told her no, but that I had handled a deer about 2 weeks earlier. She said it was more common to contract them from sheep or goats. She had seen a number of farmers,freezing workers and shearers over the years with them. I researched the possibility of contracting from red deer and found a bit of information on red deer carrying the virus. I also found info on deer in America carrying similar types if viruses. Anyway, it was a nasty bloody thing that took forever to heal - probably about 6 weeks. I suspect I got it when I only slightly nicked that area of my hand with the knife during the gutting process.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has ever picked one up of a deer.

Pretty much always have a few nicks or scrapes on my hands and some get infected etc mainly due to a she will b right policy on them . Have thought of the possibility of catching something while guting tho, just lucky so far i guess.

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The loveley ones arn't infected

My oldest boy got it on the palm of his hand from shearing sheep.

It puffed up really fast

Originally Posted by Dundee

The loveley ones arn't infected

That is me Dundee. I never had to take the tablets and wash them down with an Anchor beer (oops Freudian slip)

Just googled it as suggested and that is a nasty looking thing. Never had one but am trying to remember where I have seen pustules like that (somewhere in my deep past)

Originally Posted by Tussock

My old man got one. My Grandma poulticed it with piping hot honey. Caused him excrutiating pain. Did nothing for the orf.

That doesn't supprise me Tussock. There is no remedy for them as I was informed by the nurse at the time. Being a virus it just has to run its course.

There was a yank article many years ago recommending cutting up deer without gutting i.e. back legs ,back steaks for that reason. It was poo pooed by many hunters. If you look at Sky programme Monsters Inside Me especially the disease you get from raccoon guts I am not so sure .

Nasty
As much as I Googled, I couldn't find any known cases of any Australians getting an Orf on their "didgeroos". Says a lot practicing for safe sex with a condom

The old lady has one that flares up on her hand. Usually at tailing/docking time. I think she started it when she accidentally scratched herself with scabine.

Don't know if this is an Orf but it's commin orf on Tuesday

Originally Posted by madjon_

Attachment 10164
Don't know if this is an Orf but it's commin orf on Tuesday

Looks orfish. Here's some links to articles that discuss the virus. A bit technical though!

Parapoxvirus Infections of Red Deer, Italy - Vol. 17 No. 4 - April 2011 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal - CDC

Parapoxvirus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If anyone else thinks they're got orf from a deer (and no unprotected contact with sheep) drop a line to this guy at Massey mEpiLab website who investigates human vs animal infections.

I got one on m thumb about 25 years ago. It came from shearing/crutching lambs with scabby mouth. The doc gave me some ointment and sent me out the door in less than 2 minutes.
Mine wasn't very painful, but I saw the light and gave up shearing

Originally Posted by madjon_

Attachment 10164
Don't know if this is an Orf but it's commin orf on Tuesday

OK not an Orf.It came orf,cut out a section 75x35x 10mm deep down to muscle, then pulled the whole thing together with 14 stitches.Bites a bit now and again.Find out tomorrow if it's nasty