[Cowpox - an underdiagnosed disease in Sweden?]

Abstract

Cowpox is an infection caused by the cowpox virus, a zoonotic DNA virus belonging to the genus Orthopoxvirus. The infection presents as a febrile illness with a characteristic eschar-like lesion. Humans are typically infected through contact with rodents or cats who have been in contact with rodents. The diagnosis is made using PCR. In this case series, we present eight cases of cowpox contracted in Sweden.