STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium has published a Capripoxvirus Research Review (2015–2026), consolidating a decade of research on diseases endemic to Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It gives WOAH Delegates, Veterinary Services and Focal Points a fresh evidence base for surveillance, preparedness and control.
Capripoxviruses cause lumpy skin disease in cattle and sheeppox and goatpox in small ruminants, transboundary diseases marked by fever, malaise and deep skin lesions that can be fatal in severe cases. Beyond animal health, infections can permanently damage hides and wool, suppress lactation and cause abortion, while their notifiable status under WOAH means outbreaks can trigger trade restrictions. Once concentrated in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, capripox diseases have recently spread into Europe, and shifting vector distribution linked to climate change is raising the risk of further spread.
Commissioned at a pivotal point in the global capripox situation, the Capripoxvirus Research Review 2015–2026 assesses research published between January 2015 and June 2026. It covers advances in fundamental virus biology, field diagnosis and differentiation, pathogenesis and virulence, immune responses and viral immune-evasion strategies, epidemiology, and vaccines, antimicrobial approaches and policy-based control measures.
Alongside these advances, the review identifies critical gaps in current knowledge. Its findings will feed into a formal gap-analysis process combining the published evidence with expert opinion and first-hand experience from those working in affected areas recognising that a literature review alone cannot capture the practical realities of prevention, surveillance and control on the ground.
The review informed the Capripoxvirus Gap Analysis Workshop held in Bali from 21 to 23 July 2026, where experts weighed the evidence against practical control experience. Together, the review and workshop findings will support three research roadmaps for vaccines, diagnostics and integrated control strategies to guide future research funding and policy decisions.
Read more: New Capripoxvirus Research Review identifies advances and critical knowledge gaps
The full review is available on STAR-IDAZ’s Poxvirus Priority Topic page.
