Camel pox occurs in members of the family Camelidae which includes the one-humped Camelus dromedarius (dromedary) and the two-humped Camelus bactrianus (Bactrian camel) of the Old World as well as the llama, alpaca, guanaco and vicuna of the New World.

The causative agent of camel pox is Orthopox virus cameli; this is the most frequent infectious viral disease in camels and outbreaks occur in regular cycles depending on the rainy season, density of the animal population and number of immunized animals in the population. Camel pox can cause up to 30% fatalities in young animals and lead to permanent disfiguration. The infection is widely distributed in all countries with camel husbandry including the UAE and has a major impact on the health status and racing performance of the animals. Those who have recovered from the infection, usually develop lifelong immunity.

Although camel pox is of great economic importance, only a few institutions have attempted to manufacture a specific vaccine: there is an inactivated vaccine on the market made in Morocco and a live attenuated vaccine has recently been developed in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa - it is this latter product which is under consideration here.

Name:

Ducapox vaccine stands for Dubai Camel Pox_vaccine.

Origin of the product:

The isolation of the virus and its characterization is the result of a collaborative program between the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Infectious & Epidemic Diseases of the University of Munchen, Veterinarstr. 13, D-80539 Germany and the Central Veterinary Laboratory, P.O. Box 597, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Manufacturer:

The vaccine is commercially manufactured by Design Biologix cc Lab B29 Building 43B CSIR, Pretoria. P.O. Box 12357 Hatfield 0028 for Highveld Biological (Pty) Ltd, 1 Modderfontein Road Sandringham, Johannesburg. P.O. Box 1456 Lyndhurst 2106.

Registration:

The vaccine has been accepted by the Department of Agriculture, Directorate of Animal Health, P. Bag 138, Pretoria, South Africa, under the name Ducapox live attenuated vaccine against Orthopox virus cameli. We are also in the process of applying for registration with the Department of Agriculture of the UAE.

Envisaged markets:

North Africa, Sub-Sahara Africa, Kenya, Middle East, Middle Asia, Russia, India

General description of the vaccine:

Ducapox is a live attenuated, lyophilized vaccine, which requires re-constitution with diluent. It is used prophylactically in camels of all ages but in particular young camels, to provide individual and herd immunity against camel pox caused by Orthopox virus cameli.

Method of manufacture:

The vaccine is produced in tissue culture on Vero cells, a recognized cell line which originated from African Green Monkey kidney. The titer of the vaccine after freeze drying is not less than 2x(10 to the power of 6); virus particles per dose.

Presention of the vaccine:

Bulk pack of 5 doses per vial, freeze dried plus 10ml per vial sterile water for re-constitution: packed as 25 x 5 doses vaccine per box plus 25 x 10ml diluent in a separate box.

Recommended use:

Inject subcutaneous either into the front of the animals shoulder or into the large shoulder muscle. Young animals between 6 and 9 months should receive a booster injection after 4 weeks. Immunity will be life long.

Side effects of the vaccine:

None, except occasionally slight swelling on the site of injection.

Expiry date:

24 months after date of manufacture; do not use the vaccine after expiry date.

Storage:

Keep refrigerated at 4 to 8°C.

Caution:

This vaccine is specific against orthopox virus infection in camels and does not protect the animals from contagious ecthyma or pustular dermatitis caused by parapox virus. In fact, both virus conditions can co-exist and may confuse the clinical picture.