Sad news - Sick Bighorns in Zion
Sore Mouth Disease Suspected in Zion National Park Bighorn Sheep Population
Sore Mouth Disease (also known as contagious ecthyma) is thought to be responsible for the illness observed among the bighorn sheep population at Zion National Park. Sore Mouth Disease is a virus similar to chicken pox, and like chicken pox is typically self-limiting and usually a mild disease. It is transmittable to people if direct contact with infected sheep occurs. The park is reminding visitors not to approach or touch wildlife.
Sore Mouth Disease is common throughout the world in wild and domestic sheep and goats. Spread from ewes to lambs, it can manifest itself in sores around the mouths of lambs and cause mastitis of the ewes
