An avipoxvirus infection in a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

This report describes the nodular lesions found on a young, male European goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) which were found to be poxvirus lesions in conjunction with a Staphylococcus aureus infection. Treatment consisted of surgical removal of the two lesions and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. The diagnosis of a poxvirus infection was suspected by histology and confirmed with transmission electron microscopy. To our knowledge the goshawk has been reported as being susceptible to avipoxvirus infections, but no clinical reports have been published concerning this species.