Sheep and goats occupy a premier place in the livestock industry and contribute significantly to the world economy. Their populations are threatened by a number of health hazards, among the most notable of which are goat pox and sheep pox. These diseases inflict substantial losses in terms of reduced productivity and lower quality of wool and leather. They pose a major obstacle to the intensive rearing of sheep and goats and considerably hamper international trade. A comprehensive knowledge of goat pox and sheep pox would help in the diagnosis, prevention and control as well as the management of these diseases in a proper and effective manner. Although the two diseases are easily identified from the clinical signs and host species affected, laboratory tests are needed for confirmation. A battery of simple but highly efficient diagnostic methods and reagents is available for goat pox and sheep pox. However, the best way to control these diseases is the prophylactic immunization of all susceptible animals with a potent and efficacious vaccine, especially in areas where these diseases are endemic.

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A reverse-phase passive haemagglutination (RPHA) test was developed and standardised after coupling glutaraldehyde- and tannic acid-treated sheep erythrocytes with the soluble goat pox virus (GPV) antigens for the detection of GPV antibody in goat sera. The RPHA test was as sensitive as the latex agglutination (LA) test, and more sensitive than precipitation tests viz. agar gel precipitation and counter immunoelectrophoresis. Nevertheless, the LA test was practically the most useful.

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