Reindeer in the mountains. Photo.
Photo: Dan Tjell

New parapoxvirus detected in reindeer in Sweden

Page reviewed:  07/09/2026

A new virus that causes skin disease has been detected in reindeer calves in Norrbotten. This is according to a study involving, among others, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA).

Read the full article on the Swedish page.

The text has been translated with support from AI. 

Link to scientific publication

Philippot, K.W., Leijon, M., Lindgren, Y., Banihashem, F., Jinnerot, T., Lengquist, V., Suhel, F., Bøe, C.A., Spilsberg, B., Nymo, I.H., Rockström, U. & Wensman, J.J. 2026. First report of a parapoxvirus red deer infection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus): Clinical presentation and full-genome characterization. Virol J, 23:87.

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