Insect transmission of capripoxvirus

Capripoxvirus was transmitted between sheep using Stomoxys calcitrans as a vector. Attempts to transmit capripoxvirus between sheep and between goats using biting lice (Mallophaga species), sucking lice (Damalinia species), sheep head flies (Hydrotaea irritans) and midges (Culicoides nubeculosus) were unsuccessful, although capripoxvirus was isolated from sheep head flies that had previously fed on infected sheep.