Orf Health Dictionary

A skin infection occasionally transmitted to humans from sheep. Caused by a pox virus, orf usually produces a single persistent, fluid-filled blister on the arm or hand. The antiviral drug idoxuridine may hasten recovery. Large lesions may be removed surgically.

A virus infection of sheep and goats commonly transmitted to farm workers. Red papules on the hands or wrists become vesicular or pustular and resolve spontaneously in a few weeks.

n. an infectious disease of sheep and goats caused by a parapoxvirus. Those bottle-feeding infected lambs may develop a painful nodule, 2–3 cm across, on the fingers or hands; it resolves spontaneously.