A case of human to human transmission of orf between mother and child
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Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Ex vivo Culture of Human Placental Explants for the Study of Viral Transmission Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: December 30, 2025
V Rajkomar1, M Hannah2, I H Coulson1
1Department of Dermatology, Burnley General Hospital, Burnley, Lancashire, UK.
Abstract:
Orf is caused by a parapoxvirus. In adults, it is commonly associated with specific occupations, whereas cases in children tend to be associated with household or recreational exposure. Spontaneous recovery usually occurs within 6 weeks. Infection in humans is believed to be through exposure to an infected animal or fomite. We present a case of a 13-month-old boy who was exposed to orf through his mother, a farmer, who had contracted the disease through administering medication to an infected animal. We believe that this may represent only the fifth case of human to human transmission of orf reported in the literature.
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