The virus was discovered in the late autumn of 2023 via a research project at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, states the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, SVA. The virus was found in samples from reindeer in Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Jämtland.
Does not spread to humans
- Reindeer pox is a newly discovered disease in our country. At the moment, we do not believe that the virus causes serious illness for reindeer that are affected, says Jonas Wensman, laboratory at SVA in a press release.
He continues:
- The virus is currently considered unable to spread from animals to humans. Primarily, our information is about reindeer owners getting adequate information in order to limit the spread of infection.
May have existed before
The virus has probably been found in Sweden and Norway for a number of years without being defined as its own virus. It has tentatively been named reindeer pox virus and the disease is called reindeer pox. It has probably existed in Sweden and Norway for a number of years without being defined as its own virus.