Sealpox is a cutaneous (skin) condition caused by a Parapoxvirus, usually affecting seal handlers who have been bitten by infected harbor or grey seals.[1]: 394 First identified in 1969,[2] it wasn't unequivocally proven to be transmissible to humans until 2005,[3] though such transmission had been reported at least as early as 1987.[4] It causes lesions that closely resemble those caused by orf.[3] As many as 2% of seals in marine mammal rehabilitation facilities in North America may have it.[5]
| Sealpox virus | |
|---|---|
Virus classification  | |
| (unranked): | Virus |
| Realm: | Varidnaviria |
| Kingdom: | Bamfordvirae |
| Phylum: | Nucleocytoviricota |
| Class: | Pokkesviricetes |
| Order: | Chitovirales |
| Family: | Poxviridae |
| Genus: | Parapoxvirus |
| Species: | |
| Virus: | Sealpox virus |
| Sealpox | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Dermatology |