Crocodilepox virus (Papillomatosis in crocodiles) (Infection with)

The crocodile poxvirus is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus within the Poxviridae family that causes papillomatosis in crocodiles. It is of greatest concern to crocodile farms, where it is most often seen in hatchlings and juvenile crocodiles less than two years of age. It may present in adult crocodiles subjected to stressful conditions. While the disease is thought to be enzootic in wild crocodiles, poxvirus lesions have not been found and the virus has not been isolated from them. There are two genetically distinct strains of the virus: one primarily affects the Nile crocodile (Nile crocodile poxvirus) and the other primarily the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus poxvirus). No distinct viral strain has been classified for the freshwater crocodile.